Plea to owners of city's 832 empty homes to rent them out

OWNERS of hundreds of empty homes are being encouraged to become landlords.

Plymouth has 832 homes that have been empty for more than six months.

Now the city council is marking national Empty Homes Week with a call to their owners not to miss out on the packages of help and support it offers to get the properties back into use.

Councillor Chris Penberthy, the city's Cabinet member for co-operatives and community development, said: "Working with private landlords to increase the number of rentals on the market is one of our priorities.

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"I would urge anyone with an empty property to get in touch to find out how we can help them and how they can earn money. It's vital we increase the amount of good quality rental accommodation so those in housing need can get a roof over their heads."

EasyLet is one of the initiatives to support landlords. The lettings management scheme offers a fast track tenant finder service, matching private landlords with suitable tenants.

A council spokeswoman said landlords got competitive market rents linked to the local housing allowance and a full property and tenancy management service.

EasyLet was launched two years ago, and by this Christmas 50 landlords who between them own 58 properties will have signed up.

From Monday to Friday next week staff will be in the Civic Centre foyer to meet empty home owners. Landlords who sign up to the scheme before Christmas will receive a free carbon monoxide detector, smoke alarm and fire blanket.