These are known as transactional vacancies and most are brought back into use quickly and without intervention. The Agency works with owners of empty properties, local and central government, housing associations, local campaign groups and members of the public to highlight the scale of the problem and seek innovative solutions. One of the Agency's main roles is to encourage local authorities to develop effective strategies to deal with empty properties in their areas. To date, some 200 local authorities in England have established an empty homes strategy. Recent government research indicates that the problem of whole neighbourhood abandonment is very complex and interrelated.
Empty property is a consequence rather than a cause of low demand.
However, the existence of rows of boarded-up empty properties has a detrimental impact on areas where demand may already be fragile and can accelerate the decline into low demand. DETR has recently published a best practice guide for local authorities on tackling low demand which includes advice for tackling problems in the private and the public sector. It is also evident that empty property is not just a problem of low demand. Even in high demand areas there are significant numbers of homes lying empty. The Government encourages local authorities to develop empty homes strategies through Housing Investment Programme.