As Empty Homes Week is underway, Oxford City Council implores private owners of unoccupied residences to offer assistance in relieving the Oxford housing crisis.

They aim to work closely with homeowners and transform their vacant properties back into liveable homes.

A home classified as empty is a privately owned building that has gone unoccupied for a period exceeding six months.

Currently, Oxford holds around 695 such properties, according to council tax records.

The data suggests that 62 per cent (432) of these have been unoccupied for fewer than two years.

A further 16 per cent (108) have been empty between two and five years.

Meanwhile, 31 homes, equivalent to 4 per cent, have been vacant for a period spanning five to ten years.

And one per cent of residences, amounting to 10, have gone unutilised for ten or more years.

Oxford City Council imposes a council tax premium on these homes varying between 100 per cent and 300 percent, which depends on the period of vacancy.

Another 114 homes, or 19 per cent, are exempt from this elevated council tax.

The reason being their owners passed away more than twelve months prior.

To address this issue, the Council frequently liaises with executors and property owners.

Their chosen method involves engagement and encouragement to motivate the owners to revitalise their empty homes.

For the most part, this is resolved without requiring further action.

As a result of this collaboration, the Council has successfully reinstated 35 empty homes in the year 2023/24.

The council encourages anyone who is aware of an empty home to contact the Council’s Empty Property Officer on 01865 252280 or file a report on the council website.

Councillor Linda Smith, cabinet member for housing, said: "Everyone who rents privately in Oxford knows how hard it can be to find somewhere to live and how expensive it is.

"We can’t afford to have so many empty homes and we want them brought back into use.

“We are in regular contact with owners and executors to understand their needs and help if needed.

"Most owners intend to bring their empty homes back into use anyway - our intervention can help resolve any issues and accelerate this process.

"If you’d like help or advice on bringing an empty home back into use, please get in touch.”

National Empty Homes Week runs from March 4 to March 10.

More information is available at Action on Empty Homes website.