Homeowners sitting on empty properties are being urged to sell them to the council to bring them back into use.

Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) is offering to help empty home owners by purchasing their property which it will use to provide quality housing for people in the borough who need temporary accommodation.

National Empty Homes Week runs until March 6 and to coincide with the national focus on homes that are going begging for a tenant, MBC’s Housing Team has launched its own mission to bring quality housing accommodation back to use.

The council is looking to purchase two and three-bedroom properties.

The project will help transform an empty property, perhaps doing away with a potential eyesore, and saving the owner money - Council Tax still has to be paid on empty properties, and that tax is paid at 1.5 times if the property has been left empty for two years.

As an encouragement, under the Empty Homes Acquisition Project, MBC will help owners reduce their costs in selling the property by offering to pay for an independent survey and avoiding estate agents fees.

The council wants to purchase properties that are within the borough, are not dilapidated, and are available freehold.

The council receives a large number of homeless applications each year - 1,148 last year, and 1,354 the year before.

Cllr Simon Webb, vice chairman of the Community, Homes and Environment Committee, said: “Every year hundreds of families are threatened with homelessness and need temporary housing while at the same time there are many empty homes which could help them.

“The council has taken the initiative to help both parties: the empty homeowners and those in need of a home.

"I would encourage anyone who can help to email PropertyAcquisitions@Maidstone.gov.uk"