Empty Social Housing

[ElkCid]

I was just reading a similar post, but it was a couple of years old, so starting a new one.
I walk my dog around my estate, so I see more people than most. I have noticed that some houses are empty. I don't know for certain, but a neighbour was telling me that one guy that has had this flat for a year or so, he lives 5 miles away with his girlfriend. I talk to the guy that lives in the flat above, and he rarely sees or hears him.
I notice other houses, where I vaguely know who lives there, but they are never home, I suspect that they live elsewhere too.
Is this something that others have noticed. Most people just get in their cars, so they wont notice who lives where. I did report the guy that lives in the flat, but its not easy for the council to prove he isn't living there.

If they’re visibly empty i.e. no furniture or window coverings etc then they’re more than likely long term voids which are either being kept void as part of the council or HA’s strategy for major works or disposal, or are considered “hard to let” and thus a long wait for a new tenant.

People not being visible when you stroll past with your dog doesn’t mean the property is empty. Perhaps they’re in the back garden, or in a room which doesn’t face the street, or they’re simply out a lot. It’s a bit overkill to assume that not seeing activity when you happen be active requires reporting.

Dont forget as well that a lot of houses on 'Council' estates have been sold.

Rightmove Sold House Prices is your friend

Lots of social housing has been sold off and is now owned by buy to let landlords. So your assuption that SH tenants are taking houses but not living there might be completely wrong.

You potentially jeprodised someone's home based on what you see on a dog walk and an assumption from a neighbour?

Fwiw you wouldn't see much from my house whilst having a nosy on the way past either but I'm literally in all the time, same reason the neighbours don't see me much.

Why have I actually just called the council or whoever it is and reported someone for not living there and potentially making them homeless you don’t know there circumstances that is out of order

Plenty of people have also bought their council houses so unless you know whether it's still owned by the council for a fact you should keep your beak out.

It does sound strange that people would rent a house and not live in it. Even if they are not paying rent and council tax, they will be paying some other bills.

The council will check it out, I haven't made anyone homeless. They can be living elsewhere for 6 weeks and that is perfectly ok. This is long-term, see what happens over the holiday period.
There is a massive waiting list for social housing, people need to be living in them.

If they wanted to give them to someone they would. We have two empty flats around and the people died or went into elderly social care. The flats are closed off and no one inhabits them now.

For what you are saying there are many people who have a one bed flat and go to the partners home

But that’s not your business wouldn’t like to be your neighbour you sound like the grass of the neighbours

I just walked past. He has left the light on to make it look like someone is home. The vertical blinds are closed, so you cannot see in.