Worthing Borough Council

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Finding an empty property to buy in Worthing

01903 221326

enquiries@worthing.gov.uk

If you are interested in finding an empty property to buy and develop either for your own use or to rent out, develop or sell. The following information is designed to help you. The majority of empty homes in Worthing are privately owned and this information relates to these properties.

Finding an empty property

If you have a particular area where you are looking to buy, we suggest walking through that area and making a note of any addresses that appear empty to you. You can also contact local Estate Agents, Auction houses and Property websites.

When you have identified possible addresses, call or e-mail us to see how we can help. We are happy to work through a list of properties and see if we have non-Data- protected information that we can provide. We can also write to owners direct (where we have their contact information) with your details or forward a letter on your behalf.

You can do a Land Registry search – www.landreg.gov.uk External Link - This link takes you to another website (charge applicable) - which may reveal the legal owner, although some properties are not registered and others may be out of date and show the owner as living at the address.

You can also check the register of planning applications, on the on this website. When a planning application has been made the owner’s details (or an agent acting for them) are shown and this information is available to the public. Sometimes this may also give an indication as to why a property has remained empty, for example if the planning request has been refused and an appeal has been lodged.

It may also be worth writing a polite note and putting it through the door of the property itself – some owners regularly visit their property even if they leave it empty.

Do be aware though that some properties which appear empty may actually be occupied, even though they are in poor condition. If in doubt, please check with us first, please remember these properties are privately owned sot he owners may choose not to sell.

Investors List

We hold a record of interested people who are actively looking for property to develop. To be added to this list please forward your contact details and the type of property you are interested in. Selling to a developer is one of the options we generally advise owners of. If they are interested in selling, the list of potential developers would be forwarded to them. We will also write to individual owners (where you have identified the property) with your details or a letter from you direct if you prefer.

There are no specific grants for people looking to buy an empty property for their own use at this time. There are grants available for landlords looking to renovate a property, for more information please contact the empty properties officer.

VAT rates for developing empty properties

There are now lower VAT rates for developing empty properties. These are now 5% (as opposed to 17.5%) if the property has been empty for over two years, is the conversion of a non-residential building to residential or is providing more or less units. The VAT rate is 0% if empty for over ten years and is for sale after completion.

For more information please contact the local HM Customs and Excise office (Business Services and Taxes) for details / confirmation.

National Advice Service : 0845 010 9000.

Flats above shops

If the property is above a shop there are tax breaks available if it is redeveloped to rent out. Information about this scheme is available from the Inland Revenue in a leaflet called ‘Personal Taxpayer Series IR2007.

Contact for the Inland Revenue : 0845 9000 404 (Order line for leaflets) or via their website .

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