TO mark National Empty Homes Week this week, Northumberland County Council is highlighting the work that is taking place to address the problem of empty properties and is appealing to anyone who owns or knows of a long-term empty property to get in touch.

With affordable housing in short supply, the council has been taking action in a number of ways to help bring unused properties back into residential use.

Since April 2015, the private sector housing team has assisted in returning over 750 empty properties back into use.

The council can offer a range of advice and assistance, including a free Property Accreditation Scheme, which can help owners to source suitable tenants for their properties, via free advertising on Northumberland Homefinder, and carry out free tenant reference checks.

The council can also help tenants raise the deposit needed to move into a previously empty property, amongst other things.

Anyone can contact the private sector housing team on 0345 600 6400 or email privatesectorhousing@northumberland.gov.uk.