Haringey Council has successfully acquired a neglected three-bedroom property in Tottenham through a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), as part of its ongoing efforts to tackle long-term empty homes. The house had been vacant for six years after its former tenant moved into a care home in 2018. Over the years, the property fell into severe disrepair and became filled with hoarded items, prompting the council to intervene when the owners—a limited company—failed to make progress on restoration efforts.

The CPO faced objections from the owners, leading to a hearing by the Planning Inspectorate. Neighbors shared their grievances about the property’s state and the negative impact it had on the community. After considering these concerns, the Secretary of State authorized the CPO, allowing Haringey to take possession of the house.

To prevent further neglect, the council has imposed a condition on the sale of the property, requiring the new owner to complete essential renovation work before the transaction is finalized.

Cllr Sarah Williams, Haringey’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, emphasized that long-term empty homes not only waste valuable housing stock but also negatively affect the surrounding area. She stressed the council’s priority of targeting such properties and its commitment to revitalizing them. Williams highlighted the importance of bringing these homes back into use to help address the housing crisis and improve the local environment.