Two Croydon properties left derelict for a combined 30 years have been transformed into council homes.
Both properties, vacated in the early 2000’s, have been renovated and extended.
The properties in Coulsdon and Purley will become home to households moving from temporary council accommodation in the coming weeks.
Councillor Alison Butler, Croydon Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for homes and Gateway services, said: “Every empty Croydon home brought back into use allows more households to move into better-quality accommodation, and it’s great that council staff’s work over several years will now benefit local families in need.”
The three-bedroom home in Coulsdon and four-bedroom house in Purley have become one large four-bedroom and four two-bedroom properties.
The Purley house, in Foxley Lane, had been empty since 2002 when the owner emigrated to Brazil.
Following complaints from neighbours about vandalism, broken windows and fly-tipping, the council began negotiations in 2013 with the property owner, who allowed the property to be renovated and transferred to council control.
The council spent £100,000 refurbishing the house.
The Coulsdon property, in Chaldon Way, had been empty since 2001, and over the next decade fell in to a state of disrepair.
Collapsed floors, dry rot, electrical faults and a rat infestation made it unsafe for residence.
After three years of complex negotiation with the council, last year the owner agreed to allow the property to be renovated by a council-approved registered social housing provider, Cromwood Social.
The house has now been extended, becoming four-bed property that will be let to a family in council temporary accommodation.
The renovation was funded by a a £25,000 council grant and a £145,000 loan from Cromwood, which will be repaid over the next 10 years through rental income.
Abdus Saleh, project manager at Cromwood Social, said: “We are constantly exploring unique and innovative opportunities to work closely with London councils with a view to providing bespoke housing solutions. The recent property refurbishment in Chaldon Way, Coulsdon, epitomises this approach.
“We believe resurrecting empty properties around London could provide a valuable source of new homes for councils. Cromwood Social has recently launched a £2.5m Empty Property Resurrection Fund for our projects across the country, which is testament to this belief.”
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