Pathmeads, part of Genesis Housing Group, is currently undertaking the refurbishment of a two-bedroom bungalow in a conservation area in Harlow, as part of its innovative PLACE scheme.

The property, which had been empty for over a year, had been inherited by the current owner who had been unable to fund the refurbishment works required to bring the property back into use.
Pathmeads currently operate a "PLACE" (private lease agreement converting empties) scheme with a consortium of five councils in Essex: Chelmsford Borough Council, East Hertfordshire District Council, Epping Forest District Council, Harlow District Council and Uttlesford District Council.

This consortium of Councils successfully bid for grant funding from Communities and Local Government in 2006 to fund a renovation and lease scheme for empty properties. The grant funding is provided to cover any works required to bring empty property up to the Government set Decent Homes Standards.

Under this scheme, Pathmeads has arranged a 100% grant-funded refurbishment through the PLACE scheme to bring the house up to a lettable standard, at a cost of approximately £45,000, including VAT. Major works to be undertaken include: fitting a new window, installing a new heating system, electrical wiring of the entire property, re- plastering throughout (externally and internally), and fitting a new bathroom and kitchen. All work is being carried out by Shenstone Service Ltd over a 12 week period and is due for completion at the end of December 2009.

On completion of the works, the property will be leased to Pathmeads for three years. A family in housing need and on the Epping Forest District Council housing register, will be offered the opportunity to live in the property and pay an affordable rent when the refurbishment of this property is complete, in the new year. The rental income will cover management and maintenance costs during the three-year lease. After the initial three year period, the property will be returned to its owner, or a new lease will be taken out in an attempt to ensure that the property is not left empty again.

Feargal Ward, Managing Director at Pathmeads, says "Pathmeads is committed to working on bringing empty properties back into use. Too often, bringing empty homes back into use is seen as being problematic or too time consuming to bother with. However, Pathmeads is proud to be working with a number of partner authorities to deliver innovative solutions to tackle these barriers and make empty properties attractive homes for people. We believe that our breadth of experience in dealing with this problem places us in a unique position to undertake similar projects in other locations."

For further information please contact
Diana Evans on 020 7563 0028 / diana.evans@ghg.org.uk