0:00:02 > 0:00:04He could be down there for a while, without anybody knowing.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06Everyone deserves a safe place to live.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09Your home is falling apart, you're going to fall apart.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12But with rents rising and demand increasing,
0:00:12 > 0:00:16it's getting harder and harder to find a secure place to call home.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18- It's a stinky little hole.- It is indeed.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21I'm Matt Allwright, and I'm back with the Housing Enforcers.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24- It stinks.- If I'm honest with you,
0:00:24 > 0:00:28I'm not sure whether I would want Grace going into that house.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32I'm on the front line with those fighting for the right to decent housing.
0:00:33 > 0:00:34This place is a bit of a mess.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36They usually urinate in that corner.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39As local councils and housing associations battle problem
0:00:39 > 0:00:41properties and slum conditions...
0:00:41 > 0:00:43The smell in there, everything just reeks.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46..as they deal with dodgy landlords...
0:00:46 > 0:00:49Probably here is about as far as it's safe to go.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51..nightmare neighbours...
0:00:51 > 0:00:54- What, she's been kicking you?- Yeah. - Would you want either side evicted?
0:00:54 > 0:00:55No, I wouldn't.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57..and everything in between...
0:00:57 > 0:00:58OK.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01..to help those in need of a happy and healthy home.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05Behind every door is a little bit of a detective story.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Today, a deserted house causing nightmares next door.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18Oh, wow. This is the neighbour's house,
0:01:18 > 0:01:21and then as soon as you go over the other side, it's gone back to
0:01:21 > 0:01:23- nature, hasn't it?- It has, yes.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26I've actually rung the police just recently, you know?
0:01:26 > 0:01:27Because there were people living in there.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29I could hear them knocking about.
0:01:29 > 0:01:30In Mid Suffolk,
0:01:30 > 0:01:34an evicted tenant takes almost everything except the kitchen sink.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36This isn't your typical eviction.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38- No, it's not.- They've ripped that out.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41It's mad, isn't it?
0:01:41 > 0:01:44And in Stroud, residents of a sheltered housing scheme face up to
0:01:44 > 0:01:46the fact they're about to lose their home.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48So, you know what's going to happen.
0:01:48 > 0:01:49How does that affect you?
0:01:49 > 0:01:53Well, when I first heard, I immediately went into panic,
0:01:53 > 0:01:54what am I going to do?
0:01:54 > 0:01:58If I can get another couple of years here, I'll be very happy.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05It used to be so straightforward.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09You leave education, you get yourself a job and then settle down
0:02:09 > 0:02:11once you've found a house or flat.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15Even though happily ever after wasn't guaranteed, you could usually
0:02:15 > 0:02:19depend on getting an affordable and safe place to live.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22Well, it's no secret that thanks to the housing crisis,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25today things are a bit more complicated.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28But there are men and women across the UK whose job it is to ensure
0:02:28 > 0:02:33that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a safe roof over their heads.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35Every day they're out fighting for your rights.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37They are the Housing Enforcers.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46It's no secret rising rents and increased house prices are making it
0:02:46 > 0:02:49a real challenge for those looking to set their first foot on the
0:02:49 > 0:02:51housing ladder.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53But what about those at the other end of the journey?
0:02:53 > 0:02:58Today, one in six people in the UK is aged 65 or over and finding
0:02:58 > 0:03:02suitable accommodation for their changing circumstances is going to
0:03:02 > 0:03:05be one of the biggest housing challenges we face.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08It's something the local councils and housing associations take
0:03:08 > 0:03:10very seriously. Here in Stroud,
0:03:10 > 0:03:14housing officer, Dave Milner, has been working with residents at this
0:03:14 > 0:03:16sheltered housing scheme.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19He knows first-hand that the type of accommodation offered at Glebelands
0:03:19 > 0:03:22is no longer suitable for many of their older people.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29The real problem for our residents in this scheme is that as soon as
0:03:29 > 0:03:32you come through the main entrance door, within a few meters,
0:03:32 > 0:03:34you're faced with five or six steep steps.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38Real access problems on this scheme. It's a sloping site.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Anybody with mobility issues, getting older,
0:03:41 > 0:03:43has difficulties navigating round this scheme,
0:03:43 > 0:03:47whether it's to go to the communal lounge or simply to get to their flat.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51And even if they could overcome the obstacle course to get to their
0:03:51 > 0:03:53homes in the first place, the problems don't end there.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01This is typical bedsit flat in the scheme.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04The fact that it's a bedsit is one of the main reasons
0:04:04 > 0:04:05that it's hard to let.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08You'd have your bed there and your living room here.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10Very small. People can't have all their belongings,
0:04:10 > 0:04:13because there just isn't the space. There's no storage space.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17The kitchen is very small and you haven't really got a space for furniture.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21Other issues we've got, though, in this particular flat,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24rain water's got in, there's a roof leak, quite a substantial roof leak
0:04:24 > 0:04:27that's damaged the lintels above the windows.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29That would all have to be replaced.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31It's also starting to cause cracking.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34Not only do we have very few people who want to come into this kind of
0:04:34 > 0:04:37accommodation, when they bring their support,
0:04:37 > 0:04:41their carers or their parents, brothers or sisters,
0:04:41 > 0:04:46people don't want their relatives to live in a space which is so small.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49We've also got electric storage heaters,
0:04:49 > 0:04:51so the property is very difficult to heat.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54You can't really control when you've got heat and when you haven't.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57The council's planning to replace Glebelands with a new,
0:04:57 > 0:04:59state-of-the-art housing scheme,
0:04:59 > 0:05:03more in tune with the needs of the growing ageing population.
0:05:03 > 0:05:04It sounds good in principle,
0:05:04 > 0:05:08but that does mean Dave has also had to tell existing tenants they are
0:05:08 > 0:05:10going to have to leave their homes.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13I'm joining him on a trip to visit one of the residents who was hit
0:05:13 > 0:05:14hard by the news.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17When the message that you're getting across is that you will
0:05:17 > 0:05:19be leaving your home in four years' time,
0:05:19 > 0:05:21there's no way to really sugar-coat that, is there?
0:05:21 > 0:05:23That's a big change.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25The hardest bit is this bit we're in at the moment.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28Planning, communicating, consulting with everyone.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33It's impossible to show someone what it's all going to be like.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35I don't envy Dave's job, here.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Change can be difficult to accept at any age.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40Fingers crossed for this meeting today.
0:05:42 > 0:05:43OK, maybe it was just me.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47But when Dave said we were going to meet an OAP in a sheltered housing
0:05:47 > 0:05:50scheme, I wasn't quite expecting this.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52As I'm about to learn, musician, Mike Taylor,
0:05:52 > 0:05:53is anything but conventional.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57This is heaven for me, you know that?
0:05:57 > 0:06:00This is a studio environment.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03- Heaven?- Yeah.- Heaven?- Yeah, really.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07You can just... You can fiddle away with guitars.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09How long have you been here?
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Two years, two and a quarter years.
0:06:11 > 0:06:12And how is it working out for you?
0:06:12 > 0:06:14I like it, I love it.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17It's one of the best places I've ever lived, strangely enough.
0:06:17 > 0:06:23I'm surprised, because, from a sheltered housing area, in my mind,
0:06:23 > 0:06:28I imagine, frankly, people a little bit older than you are.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30I don't know, that's a preconception of mine.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32- I'm 69.- Yeah, maybe.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38But certainly not still in the throes of a
0:06:38 > 0:06:40successful rock and roll career.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43Charlie Watts is 75, 76.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46He can still do the stuff with the drums.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49They're not living in sheltered housing, but, you know...
0:06:49 > 0:06:50No.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Mike's right, although he might not fit the stereotypical view
0:06:53 > 0:06:56of an OAP, it's worth remembering his generation was in its 20s
0:06:56 > 0:06:59through the Summer of Love and the birth of punk rock.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02It's no wonder the future of sheltered housing is going to look a
0:07:02 > 0:07:03bit different.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07It doesn't mean being uprooted from your home isn't a shock, though.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11So, obviously, you know what's going to happen with Glebelands generally.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13How does that affect you?
0:07:13 > 0:07:16Well, when I first heard, it was probably ten months ago.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20I immediately went into panic, "What am I going to do?"
0:07:20 > 0:07:24Fortunately, we've been kept fairly well-informed, as far as I can tell.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27If I can get another couple of years here, I'll be very happy.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30Even though Mike's home is due to be demolished,
0:07:30 > 0:07:33you can sense he still feels very much part of the community.
0:07:33 > 0:07:38The thing is, I do a lot of stuff in the garden, here, which I enjoy.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41I've got loads of pots of flowers, I've been doing the borders,
0:07:41 > 0:07:43all that kind of thing.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45And you are doing it not just for yourself,
0:07:45 > 0:07:47but for everyone else that's here?
0:07:47 > 0:07:50Yeah, if everybody else can get a bit of enjoyment out of it.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52How do you get on with the other residents here?
0:07:52 > 0:07:58There's a lady down the end of the corridor, Jean, she's 95.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00I'm very friendly with her.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02I take her dinner sometimes.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06Tomorrow, I'm going to do some pork chops, roast potatoes, you know.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09- She also gets some fresh veg once a week.- Right.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15Working alongside housing officers, I've learned time and again that
0:08:15 > 0:08:18your home is more than just bricks and mortar.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20Today is no different.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22This is in the old days.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25This is before I came here.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28- As you can see...- Look at that.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31Does it make you a little bit sad that it's got to close?
0:08:31 > 0:08:34I know it's coming back in a different shape and different form.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36But do you get the sense, with a place like this, that there is...
0:08:38 > 0:08:41That people feel a sense of belonging and ownership, here...
0:08:43 > 0:08:44..from the other guys you speak to?
0:08:44 > 0:08:47Yes, I was saying about one of my neighbours,
0:08:47 > 0:08:49right across the corridor from me.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52She has been here 23 years.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55She had a flat over there.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57She can remember all of those times.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59She was saying, "There was so much used to go on here."
0:09:00 > 0:09:03You know, the meals, this, that and the other.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05It's obviously sad when any community is dismantled,
0:09:05 > 0:09:08especially one with such a lively past.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11But with a rapidly ageing population to face up to,
0:09:11 > 0:09:14councils like Stroud have to look to the future.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18Here you are still, you know, you're part of a community, aren't you?
0:09:18 > 0:09:21Breaking that community apart, it was clear just from talking to Mike,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24that he has a lot to do with his neighbours and looks after them,
0:09:24 > 0:09:26actually. You know, bring some food and that sort of thing.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28That community's going to be taken apart.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32I think if people are set in a certain way of living,
0:09:32 > 0:09:36and you slightly adjust that, people get, as Mike said, panic, panic,
0:09:36 > 0:09:38what's he going to do?
0:09:38 > 0:09:41People start to get used to what's going to happen, and can see,
0:09:41 > 0:09:44hopefully, the excitement and benefits going forward.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46What we intend to do when we build new flats,
0:09:46 > 0:09:51they'll be larger flats, they'll be a lot easier to heat and
0:09:51 > 0:09:53maintain the heating in the winter.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- So, their bills will be...- You know, energy bills will be a lot cheaper.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00People will have more, hopefully, more disposable income to spend on
0:10:00 > 0:10:04things like a new friend there, or whatever, you know.
0:10:06 > 0:10:07Well said, Dave. I'm afraid, though,
0:10:07 > 0:10:10there is only one way to finish this story.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17I like that. That was nice.
0:10:19 > 0:10:20Keep going.
0:10:25 > 0:10:30So, Glebelands is going and I can't help but feel a little bit sorry
0:10:30 > 0:10:34about that, because due to a combination of finance,
0:10:34 > 0:10:37you know, brass tacks, and the way people think sheltered
0:10:37 > 0:10:42accommodation should be run, this doesn't work any more.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46I have a feeling that Mike will be fine.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49I think Mike will be fine wherever he's living.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52He seems like a very resilient character.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Lovely, lovely to meet him.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56So, goodbye Glebelands.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58SINGING
0:11:04 > 0:11:07Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09- Matt on guitar.- Thank you very much.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12Thank you very much, Mike on the mic.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22For housing officers, evicting a tenant is very much a last resort.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25But with all other avenues exhausted, it can be unavoidable.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29And, with the current shortage of decent housing stock, it's vital
0:11:29 > 0:11:33that these properties get back into circulation as quickly as possible.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40In Stowmarket, housing officers Andrew Weavers and Rebecca White
0:11:40 > 0:11:42are heading to the property of a tenant
0:11:42 > 0:11:45who'd fallen seriously behind on their rent.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49We've got an eviction on this morning in Stowmarket.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54It's been a long time coming, they haven't paid their rent for a while,
0:11:54 > 0:11:57- I gather.- No, they've not paid since the 30th of March.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00- Even then, it's not...- You know...
0:12:00 > 0:12:03There was no housing benefit or anything like that.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07So, we've taken her to court and they've made an order for her to pay
0:12:07 > 0:12:09her current rent, plus £6 a week.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12We haven't had a penny since.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14There's about £3,000 owing on this.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17We don't know what condition the property's like.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21The eviction is booked in for midday.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Our tenant popped in this morning and handed the keys back.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28Oh, well, we'll see what happens then, shall we?
0:12:30 > 0:12:32Three grand debt is a lot of money, isn't it?
0:12:32 > 0:12:36It also means three grand less for the council to plough back into
0:12:36 > 0:12:38essential services like social housing.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44Unfortunately, situations like this are increasingly common.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47Latest figures indicate around 40,000 tenants are evicted in
0:12:47 > 0:12:49England and Wales alone.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53It goes to show how important regular dialogue between tenant
0:12:53 > 0:12:55and council can be.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58For now, though, the team needs to get on with the task at hand.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01We're just letting the bailiffs into the address.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03I know we've had the keys back,
0:13:03 > 0:13:06but we had the keys back literally 40 minutes ago.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10So, we're just going to check to see if there's anybody the property.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Once we've got the all clear, the bailiff hands the keys over to
0:13:13 > 0:13:16us and then we've got our chance to go in and have a look.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18- They're happy. - They're happy, are they?
0:13:18 > 0:13:21- I'll start to change the locks. - There's a skip out here,
0:13:21 > 0:13:24so they've obviously cleared the property.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27That's unusual. Normally we'll go in and will do and infantry and there's
0:13:27 > 0:13:28a lot of stuff lying around.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31It looks like they've probably done a bit of clearance.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34But what the condition is like, whether they've caused any damage,
0:13:34 > 0:13:37we don't know. As soon as we get the all clear,
0:13:37 > 0:13:39we'll go in and have a look.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41Andrew might be expecting the worst.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46Well done. Good man, top man. Thank you.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48But he's in for a surprise.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52- That's unusual, isn't it? - It's really unusual.- Wow!
0:13:52 > 0:13:55It's absolutely...
0:13:57 > 0:13:59- Bare.- Bare.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03The place has been cleared out, from top to bottom.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05We very rarely, when people do do runners,
0:14:05 > 0:14:08they don't actually clear everything out and empty it out,
0:14:08 > 0:14:10which is really, really unusual.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14It's quite nice, to be honest, to get it back in this condition,
0:14:14 > 0:14:16because we could get this turned over pretty quickly
0:14:16 > 0:14:20and get a new tenant in. Even had a copy of their tenancy agreement
0:14:20 > 0:14:25on the side, here. In section two, it talks about rent and other charges.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30They must have had a little read through this before.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35The discarded agreement is a stark reminder of what can happen when
0:14:35 > 0:14:39rental arrears get out of hand and communication breaks down.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42Some people get themselves in a muddle in other areas of life.
0:14:42 > 0:14:43Some people have got multiple debt.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48I think one of the first things they do is probably run away from it.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51But if she owes us the amount of money she owes us, it's highly
0:14:51 > 0:14:55likely that there will be money owing elsewhere, won't there?
0:14:55 > 0:14:56That's what we tend to find.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59Despite the outstanding rent,
0:14:59 > 0:15:03the property has been left in a decent state,
0:15:03 > 0:15:05although they really have taken everything.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09They've ripped that out.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13Obviously put their own fire surround in there, didn't they?
0:15:13 > 0:15:15They were still sort of doing DIY, look.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18That's all fairly new, isn't it?
0:15:19 > 0:15:20It's mad, isn't it?
0:15:20 > 0:15:23It's becoming clear to Andrew that this tenant was
0:15:23 > 0:15:26keen to cover their tracks.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28This isn't your typical eviction, really, is it?
0:15:28 > 0:15:30- It's not.- She's obviously been a bit canny.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33She's come into the office, given us the keys,
0:15:33 > 0:15:38we've asked her for her forwarding address and to sign...
0:15:40 > 0:15:41..that we've got the keys back.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45She's gone and looked at them and decided not to fill out that form,
0:15:45 > 0:15:47or give us any indication where she's gone.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49We'll just have to try and track her down.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54The tenant may have gone to ground, but the council will still try to
0:15:54 > 0:15:57recover the rent arrears, if need be, through the courts.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03And Andrew soon finds evidence of where some of that money may have gone.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05That's what's been ripped out, look.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07That's not cheap either, is it?
0:16:07 > 0:16:12- No.- So, you can see where people would rather spend their money on
0:16:12 > 0:16:14their home than actually pay for it.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17That's fairly new, isn't it?
0:16:17 > 0:16:18With the property cleared,
0:16:18 > 0:16:22Andrew and Rebecca now need to think about the next occupants.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27Well, the next stage is to get the place inspected,
0:16:27 > 0:16:31get it back up to habitable state and get the new tenant in there.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33This has made life a lot easier for me.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36At least there's nobody here stopping us.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41We often have people that will smash things on purpose,
0:16:41 > 0:16:46throw rubbish in their properties, just make life generally difficult for us.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50But this is the cleanest eviction I think I've done in many a year.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54It's also been a lesson in how not to be a social housing tenant.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58People don't talk, and they run away from their problems.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00They could easily talk to us about things.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04We could've, you know, quite easily met them here and had a chat about
0:17:04 > 0:17:07how they can give their keys back or, indeed, stay.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14Gone through the bins, and they've recycled their bailiff appointment.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16At least they've recycled it.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19There it is, look. There's the claimant's name,
0:17:19 > 0:17:21with Suffolk District Council.
0:17:28 > 0:17:29- Let's go.- Let's go.
0:17:31 > 0:17:32Another one bites the dust.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39Since that visit, the council maintenance team has been back to
0:17:39 > 0:17:41the property and carried out repairs.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43The fireplace has been bricked up and plastered,
0:17:43 > 0:17:47with the rest of the flat also brought back to a lettable standard.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50The council is now trying to trace the former tenant so they can
0:17:50 > 0:17:53arrange to hand them the bill for all that work.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56In the meantime, the flat has been re-let to another tenant.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07Not having any neighbours to worry about might be some people's idea of heaven.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11But living next door to an empty house can bring with it another
0:18:11 > 0:18:12set of problems.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16A home that's been left to rot can blight an attractive street,
0:18:16 > 0:18:19damage properties nearby and attract antisocial behaviour,
0:18:19 > 0:18:23meaning even an empty house can be a neighbour from hell.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29In Croydon, Francis Burton is the council's empty property officer.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33His sole responsibility is to deal with the problem of the estimated
0:18:33 > 0:18:36900 homes that are standing empty in the borough.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39Today, he's been called out to a terraced property that is becoming a
0:18:39 > 0:18:42major headache for the other residents of the street.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45A couple of things happened with it in the past.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49There are other areas of antisocial behaviour that we need to be on top of.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53So when it gets reported, obviously a neighbour has seen something
0:18:53 > 0:18:58they're concerned about, so I always tend to pop out within 48, 72 hours,
0:18:58 > 0:19:01just to make sure nothing untoward is going on.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06Despite the housing shortage, there are 600,000 empty homes in England
0:19:06 > 0:19:11alone, with more than 200,000 of these officially classed as
0:19:11 > 0:19:15long-term empty, meaning they've been vacant for six months or more.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17There are loads of reasons why people abandon property,
0:19:17 > 0:19:19but very often it's down to money.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22If they can't afford the repairs, they get left to rot,
0:19:22 > 0:19:25leaving people like Francis to literally pick up the pieces.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29Like with many other areas of housing,
0:19:29 > 0:19:33I'm finding that there's a degree of carrot and a degree of stick.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37- That's right.- Just finding exactly where in that spectrum, you know,
0:19:37 > 0:19:41when do you start to enforce and use, you know, threats,
0:19:41 > 0:19:43or whatever you want to call them?
0:19:43 > 0:19:48And then when do you use encouragement and help to try and
0:19:48 > 0:19:50get the same result, effectively?
0:19:50 > 0:19:53Which is a house, a decent place for someone to live.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58- That's the one we're going to.- Look at that.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03The boarded-up door and overgrown front garden are a dead giveaway.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08I think I can tell which one it is.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10Yes, it does stand out.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12- Yeah.- Very visible, this one.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17There are signs that action is needed quite quickly on this one.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19It's very overgrown at the front, isn't it?
0:20:19 > 0:20:20That's right, yes.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24I've seen worse sash windows,
0:20:24 > 0:20:26but they're the sort of things that can give way.
0:20:26 > 0:20:33- Structurally, I can't really see the sort of cracks that we see in other properties.- No.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35The guttering's gone, though.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37And as soon as the guttering's gone like that...
0:20:37 > 0:20:40- Yes.- ..you start to wonder what's happening inside.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44- Yes.- You can see why other residents on the street are concerned,
0:20:44 > 0:20:45but it is a mystery.
0:20:45 > 0:20:51The average price for a house on this street is a whopping £430,000,
0:20:51 > 0:20:53so why would the owner turn his back on it?
0:20:57 > 0:21:05This one feels closer to, erm, you know, to habitability, I suppose.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09This feels like it would take a couple of good weeks
0:21:09 > 0:21:12of solid labour, but you'd get there with this one.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16Does that then change the way that we deal with it and what we're
0:21:16 > 0:21:18going to... The next step with it?
0:21:18 > 0:21:20It does open up additional possibilities.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24You remember we talked about the three Es, the engagement,
0:21:24 > 0:21:26the encouragement before enforcement.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32I am aware that the owner of this one is difficult to get hold of,
0:21:32 > 0:21:34but can be contacted, so, therefore,
0:21:34 > 0:21:39we could encourage him but over the years, maybe the encouragement
0:21:39 > 0:21:43has been given, so we've now reached a stage where,
0:21:43 > 0:21:46because of the complaints are coming in, because people are reporting it,
0:21:46 > 0:21:49we're then needing to go down the enforcement route.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51As well as complaints about the state of the property,
0:21:51 > 0:21:55there have also been reports from neighbours about noises coming from
0:21:55 > 0:21:57the house which could mean squatters have moved in.
0:21:57 > 0:22:02Fortunately, I have a brilliant idea to test this theory.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04So, the next step, then, I mean, presumably,
0:22:04 > 0:22:06a knock on the door won't hurt?
0:22:06 > 0:22:08No, that's something that I do.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11Obviously, something has happened recently to make somebody think,
0:22:11 > 0:22:13"Oh, I need to report that property."
0:22:13 > 0:22:15So, yes, we'll knock there.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17There might be somebody that has broken in there,
0:22:17 > 0:22:21living there illegally, so we start here.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24You can tell Francis is impressed by my investigative skills.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31But it is just a case of checking that there's nobody in there illegally.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33Will the knock be answered?
0:22:36 > 0:22:38- It's unlikely.- No.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41So I think we can safely say that that one's secure.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43OK, so we struck out on that occasion,
0:22:43 > 0:22:48but Francis' powers extend further than just a bang on the front door.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51Councils are always keen to work with owners of empty properties to
0:22:51 > 0:22:55bring them back in working order and create much-needed housing stock,
0:22:55 > 0:22:58something that's even more vital in a place like Croydon.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01But if an owner refuses to sort their property out,
0:23:01 > 0:23:04the council can enforce a compulsory purchase order.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08It's a last resort, but it can't be much fun living next door to this,
0:23:08 > 0:23:10as we're about to find out.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12Uncared for house.
0:23:12 > 0:23:13- Yep.- Cared for house.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17Yes. And, obviously, the people living in this one, the value of
0:23:17 > 0:23:21their property will be affected by what's going on next door.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24We get a much better response from this door knock.
0:23:24 > 0:23:25Hello, how are you doing?
0:23:25 > 0:23:28I'm Francis, the empty property officer at Croydon Council.
0:23:28 > 0:23:29- Oh, are you?- Yes.- OK.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32I think we may have spoken once or twice before.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35- Just talking about the property next door.- Yeah.
0:23:35 > 0:23:40The neighbour, Jim, says he thinks the house has been empty for almost
0:23:40 > 0:23:4430 years and unsurprisingly, it's starting to attract rats and foxes.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47He's also worried that the property has now become a magnet for
0:23:47 > 0:23:49antisocial behaviour.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Jim believes people have been gaining access through the back
0:23:52 > 0:23:54which would explain those reports of noise coming from the house.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56So later on, we investigate.
0:23:56 > 0:24:01There's a back door that's open, so maybe squatters?
0:24:01 > 0:24:02Could be squatters.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06And the abandoned house gives up some of its secrets.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08He just left it. As if he lost heart with it.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12I think what it was, he was emotionally attached to the house.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Defending our right to a safe place to live is the job of
0:24:19 > 0:24:22housing officers right across the UK.
0:24:22 > 0:24:23This is how they live.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26- It's almost like he's declared war on everybody...- Everybody.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28..that's living here, it's not just you guys.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31I'm working alongside the men and women that do exactly that.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34Let's say whoever was here had their last couple of parties and then
0:24:34 > 0:24:36decided to give it up.
0:24:36 > 0:24:37Hitting the streets,
0:24:37 > 0:24:40finding out what's happening on the front line...
0:24:40 > 0:24:43This is a good example of a good old waste of council time.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47..as we make sure a house is a fit place to call a home.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49There's a strong smell of damp and you can notice it
0:24:49 > 0:24:51as soon as you come in the property.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53We're going to have no choice but to take them to court.
0:24:54 > 0:24:55Job well done.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05While most people agree the UK is in the grip of a housing crisis,
0:25:05 > 0:25:09there is less consensus on how we can actually fix it.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12One potential solution, of course, is to just build more homes.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16And, in fact, latest Government figures show that in England last year,
0:25:16 > 0:25:19the number of homes completed increased by 11%.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21That sounds like good news.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24But the same Government figures also show that the provision of
0:25:24 > 0:25:27affordable housing has actually slowed.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29So, although we are building more homes,
0:25:29 > 0:25:32the majority are actually changing hands at market value,
0:25:32 > 0:25:35rather than helping those out who are struggling to get their foot on
0:25:35 > 0:25:36the housing ladder.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39So when new social homes do become available,
0:25:39 > 0:25:42the demand always outstrips supply.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46Here in West Sussex, a new row of houses has just been completed,
0:25:46 > 0:25:50and Sam Barcroft, lettings adviser from Hyde Housing Association,
0:25:50 > 0:25:53is preparing them for new tenants.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56The properties we're looking at today are all new-build properties,
0:25:56 > 0:25:59so the people who will be looking at them are the first tenants for the
0:25:59 > 0:26:03properties. Very exciting time.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06Obviously, my job is a very nice job,
0:26:06 > 0:26:08because we get to give people new houses, so yes,
0:26:08 > 0:26:10should be an exciting day.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13We've interviewed them over the telephone,
0:26:13 > 0:26:17we've approved their application and we've come to show them the property
0:26:17 > 0:26:20so that they can sign up for it if they do want to take it.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23When a new property becomes available, tenants on the housing
0:26:23 > 0:26:26waiting list enter what's known as the bidding process.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28After you put your name down for a property,
0:26:28 > 0:26:31the winning bid is decided on the tenant's needs,
0:26:31 > 0:26:35and for Stephen and Samantha, this home is coming at just the right time.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37Let me show you the property.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41We're living in Bognor at the moment in a private rented house.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44Private renting is just so expensive.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48We've been bidding on the council since we've moved out from my mum's
0:26:48 > 0:26:51about seven years ago, and I've just been bidding ever since
0:26:51 > 0:26:55and this one just happened to pop up and we're very happy
0:26:55 > 0:26:56that we've got a new house.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59The couple will be moving in in just a few days' time,
0:26:59 > 0:27:01along with their six-year-old son, Liam.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05- He will absolutely love it, won't he?- Yes.- Definitely love it.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08He can have a proper bedroom with lots of stuff that he wants on the walls!
0:27:08 > 0:27:10Instead of somewhere you can't touch.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12- It's like living in a hotel, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15With an excited six-year-old desperate to move in, Samantha's
0:27:15 > 0:27:19keen to make sure Liam's new bedroom is going to feel like home.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21We want to put wallpaper on one wall, will I be able to do that?
0:27:21 > 0:27:24- Yes.- And he wants a light on this wall,
0:27:24 > 0:27:27- will I be able to do that as well? - Yes.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29- It sticks to the wall.- Yes, they normally stick on.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- Is that all right? - Yes, that will be fine.- OK.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35- He's got it planned out, has he?- Oh, yeah, yes, it's all planned!
0:27:35 > 0:27:38It seems like Liam is going to get what he needs.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41And outside, there's a nice surprise for Steve, too.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43It comes, obviously, with the ginormous shed.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45There you go. And there's a washing line in there.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47I've got a washing line, as well. Excellent.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Yes, we have the hole for the washing line there for you, too.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52That's plenty big enough for fishing gear.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54Yeah, you haven't seen how much gear I've got.
0:27:54 > 0:27:55So, this is your room!
0:27:56 > 0:27:58And a bike for Liam.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01- And a bike.- Look at his face, he's chuffed to bits,
0:28:01 > 0:28:04but it looks like Steve's plans for the garden might have to be put on
0:28:04 > 0:28:05hold for a bit.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09I'd have to wait so long before I can get permission to put a
0:28:09 > 0:28:11bit of grass in or something?
0:28:11 > 0:28:14Yes. So for the first year, you'll be what's called a starter tenant.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17So it's almost like a probationary period.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20So there would be things like major improvements and things like that
0:28:20 > 0:28:23that you wouldn't be able to do for the first year.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26But after that, then you'd just need permission from your housing
0:28:26 > 0:28:27officer and they'll be able to do that.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29I can stick my hanging baskets and that up, though?
0:28:29 > 0:28:33- Yes, that's fine, and obviously... - I've got about 30-odd tubs.- Right!
0:28:33 > 0:28:36And there are some water butts, so that will be handy for your watering.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39So the outdoor renovations will have to wait at least a year,
0:28:39 > 0:28:43until Steve and Samantha's starter tenancy period is over and they
0:28:43 > 0:28:45become fixed term tenants.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47There'll be some things that are your responsibility,
0:28:47 > 0:28:50so if a cupboard handle came loose we'd expect you to just screw that
0:28:50 > 0:28:53back on. If there was a drippy tap and it was just a washer,
0:28:53 > 0:28:55we'd expect you guys to do that.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58Obviously, if your heating wasn't working or something, that would be us.
0:28:58 > 0:29:02All that remains is the final paperwork before this house
0:29:02 > 0:29:04officially becomes a home.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06So, yeah, if you're happy to, we can certainly do the paperwork.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10- Yes.- So just the top one and the top one for me, please.
0:29:10 > 0:29:14- Both our names are on the rent book then?- Yes.- Ah.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16Don't think you're getting out of it!
0:29:16 > 0:29:19- See you later.- You've got to do yours.- Have I?
0:29:19 > 0:29:21Yes, because it says, "Joint."
0:29:21 > 0:29:25So the tenancies are fixed term for five years.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28After the five years, if your situation is still the same,
0:29:28 > 0:29:31we'll just grant to another tenancy for another five years, OK?
0:29:31 > 0:29:34Obviously, if you want to move at a time, that's absolutely fine.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38We can't ask you to leave for those five years or for the next five years, so...
0:29:38 > 0:29:40And we'll give you the keys today and you'll be free to take
0:29:40 > 0:29:42measurements and do all of that, so that's fine.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45- I can still move in Saturday, then? - You can.- That's all right.
0:29:45 > 0:29:49- You can. Yes, well, I'll leave you to it, then.- Thank you very much!
0:29:49 > 0:29:51That's OK, thank you.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54And I'll find out about the parking and that for you, and the window.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56- Yes, just let me know and...- Yep.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59After so many years of waiting, it looks like this couple are now
0:29:59 > 0:30:03ready to settle into a place they can call their own.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05Wow, it's a lovely house! It's really nice.
0:30:05 > 0:30:09Didn't expect it to be as nice as it is, to be honest.
0:30:09 > 0:30:10It's nice and big.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14Put pictures on the walls and make it our actual home, home now.
0:30:14 > 0:30:18We can think about living here and it'll be our permanent home until,
0:30:18 > 0:30:21until, until we get older, I suppose.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24Until Liam grows up and moves out.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26Very impressed, aren't we?
0:30:26 > 0:30:27Very impressed with it.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30It's done very nicely. Very nicely.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34Stephen and Samantha's new home looks set to kick start a new life.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38It's really nice to be able to give people the opportunity to have
0:30:38 > 0:30:41their own property that, you know, they're not scared of a landlord
0:30:41 > 0:30:43about to kick them out or anything like that, and obviously,
0:30:43 > 0:30:45the rents are a little bit cheaper for them too.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49So it gives us really good job satisfaction to know that we've made
0:30:49 > 0:30:50somebody's day.
0:30:55 > 0:30:59Back in Croydon, residents have complained about a neglected empty
0:30:59 > 0:31:02property which could also have been targeted by squatters.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09But it is just a case of checking that there's nobody in there illegally.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12We can't access the front of the house so neighbour Jim is allowing
0:31:12 > 0:31:15emptied Empty Property Officer Francis and I the chance to take a
0:31:15 > 0:31:17look around the back.
0:31:17 > 0:31:18Well, we'll have a go.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22Oh, wow. Well...
0:31:22 > 0:31:25Yeah, there's kind of a limit to what we can see even when we're out here.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28- That's right, yes.- Look, this is the neighbour's house,
0:31:28 > 0:31:33and as soon as you go over the other side, my God!
0:31:33 > 0:31:34It's like a jungle.
0:31:35 > 0:31:40Well, most times, these sort of things will be hidden from anyone
0:31:40 > 0:31:42driving past or walking past.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44You don't see what's going on in the back garden.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48Oh, my goodness, it's gone back to nature, hasn't it?
0:31:48 > 0:31:49It has, yes.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52It looks like the jungle has had some recent inhabitants, too.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57There's a back door that's open.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02So there's like a lean-to here, we've got, Francis.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07And then there's a back door to that that seems as though it's providing
0:32:07 > 0:32:10access straight in, so maybe squatters.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12Could be squatters, yeah, could be somebody just thinking
0:32:12 > 0:32:15they'll take over the property, could be all sorts of things.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18So that might be what prompted this latest report.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22So it's good that we've come out, it's good that the neighbour was in, as well.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26Yes, squatting, very popular with hippies in the '60s and '70s,
0:32:26 > 0:32:27but not these days.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30Squatting in residential properties is illegal and can lead to six
0:32:30 > 0:32:33months in prison, a five grand fine or both.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36Whoever is getting in that way has to be determined.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39I think they've got to be equipped with a machete.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42- Yes.- If they are squatting there and getting in,
0:32:42 > 0:32:44as he was suggesting through this garden,
0:32:44 > 0:32:47then I don't think they've done it for a while.
0:32:47 > 0:32:51They're either very small or some kind of woodland creature to
0:32:51 > 0:32:54be able to get through the whole thing, because it's...
0:32:56 > 0:32:58It's just ridiculously overgrown.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03It's hard to believe the owner has allowed almost half a million quid's
0:33:03 > 0:33:05worth of property to get into this state.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11So that's one of the hidden problems with empty properties.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13You don't often get to see this sort of thing.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15It's got a fantastic garden as well.
0:33:15 > 0:33:20- Oh, yes.- You can't help but look at it as a missed opportunity.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23I mean, you know, we all know the value of property in this part of
0:33:23 > 0:33:26the world and there is a fantastic garden.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29Look at the neighbour's house. They're big houses, aren't they?
0:33:29 > 0:33:31They're spacious. They go a long way back.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34They're wide. Could be fantastic.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37Yes, something needs to be done about this one quite quickly.
0:33:39 > 0:33:43Neighbour, Jim, has lived next door to the property for almost 40 years,
0:33:43 > 0:33:47long enough to remember the original owner moving out.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49Well, in the first few years I lived here, it was lovely.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52All the garden was nice and all of a sudden...
0:33:53 > 0:33:57..they both packed their bags, like with a little removal van,
0:33:57 > 0:33:59and it stood empty for about ten years.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01Nothing was moving at all.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05People rung up the council, even me, just to see what was happening.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08They said, "Yeah, yeah, we'll be in touch with him."
0:34:08 > 0:34:12They got in touch with him, and I think they tried to force him
0:34:12 > 0:34:13to come back and tidy it up a bit.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16You know, and then he come back up, do little things for a couple of
0:34:16 > 0:34:18hours and then he was gone.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21He just left it. You know, it was as if he lost heart with it.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24I think what it was, he was emotionally attached to the house.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26You know, he was born... You know what I mean?
0:34:26 > 0:34:29He just didn't want to sell it.
0:34:29 > 0:34:34It's funny, I look at it and come here today and here we are,
0:34:34 > 0:34:37south of London, honeypot, everyone wants to live here.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39- Yeah, that's right, yeah.- And you look at...
0:34:39 > 0:34:41This is a big house.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44- It is, yeah.- Three, four bedroom?
0:34:44 > 0:34:47- Three bedrooms, yeah.- So you're looking at a place that's a family home
0:34:47 > 0:34:50and I'm trying to get my head round why anybody wouldn't want to make
0:34:50 > 0:34:53- the most of that.- That's what I couldn't work out,
0:34:53 > 0:34:55because even if you sold it, even like that,
0:34:55 > 0:34:57there's a lot of money sitting there.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01House prices apart, Jim has had to live next door to this for years,
0:35:01 > 0:35:03and it sounds like it hasn't been easy.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08Francis was saying there's been people coming in.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10- Yeah, squatters.- So you've had squatters in?
0:35:10 > 0:35:11Yeah, yeah, yeah.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14I used to ring the police, the police used to come down.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17But apparently the police don't even come round now.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19If you've got squatters, you've got to ring the council and then the
0:35:19 > 0:35:22council send people round to get them out.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25I've actually rung the police just recently because there were people
0:35:25 > 0:35:29living in there, I could hear them knocking about.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32Admirably though, despite having to put up with it for so long,
0:35:32 > 0:35:34Jim's tried not to let it ruin his life.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39I've been lucky, really. I'm sort of a bit of a workaholic,
0:35:39 > 0:35:41I'm always working.
0:35:41 > 0:35:45But if I was here all the time, you know, if I was retired,
0:35:45 > 0:35:48something's got to be done, really, hasn't it?
0:35:48 > 0:35:50Cos it's not nice looking at that.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52I've got to keep cutting it back because it keeps coming over.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56The older you get, you don't want all that effort, do you?
0:35:56 > 0:36:00I'm really over the moon that something's actually going to happen now.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02- Nice one, Jim, lovely to meet you. - And you.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05It's a valuable insight, but to be honest,
0:36:05 > 0:36:08I'm still leaving with more questions than answers.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11So that was really interesting talking to Jim,
0:36:11 > 0:36:14getting that perspective of living next door to a house that's been
0:36:14 > 0:36:16abandoned for decades.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20- Yes.- And it's not... I mean, he's very cool about it, if I'm honest,
0:36:20 > 0:36:24but it was a real blight and a real pain for him to have to deal with that.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27Yeah, and a lot of times people suffer in silence.
0:36:27 > 0:36:31I might get to hear of it if damp starts coming through or mould is
0:36:31 > 0:36:34growing on their walls or structural defects are affecting them.
0:36:34 > 0:36:38Fortunately, we're early enough in the process for that one not to be
0:36:38 > 0:36:40affecting the material fabric of the building,
0:36:40 > 0:36:44but obviously the impact on their lifestyle, on their
0:36:44 > 0:36:48living, is quite great because you've got to look out your windows
0:36:48 > 0:36:50and see a jungle outside.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53We also got a little bit of a flavour, or an idea,
0:36:53 > 0:36:54of the story behind it.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56I've been going to these empty properties thinking,
0:36:56 > 0:37:00"How can anybody leave a quarter of a million pounds or more sitting there?"
0:37:00 > 0:37:04He was saying, he just thought the owner was so emotionally attached
0:37:04 > 0:37:09to the house where he grew up that he couldn't bring himself to let it go.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12I'd never really imagined that would be one of the reasons behind an
0:37:12 > 0:37:17- empty property.- Yeah, it's something that I seek advice on,
0:37:17 > 0:37:23because, obviously, we're dealing with other people's possessions and
0:37:23 > 0:37:26the ultimate sanction is to take it away from them and I need to be
0:37:26 > 0:37:27comfortable there.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29There may be emotional issues,
0:37:29 > 0:37:31emotional attachments to the property,
0:37:31 > 0:37:33mental issues that prevent them making a decision.
0:37:33 > 0:37:38So it's a very fine line that I need to tread in order to avoid impinging
0:37:38 > 0:37:39on people's human rights.
0:37:39 > 0:37:43But also deal with the problem as it presents itself.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46It is a wasted resource, it is affecting the neighbourhood
0:37:46 > 0:37:50and maybe by taking it away, we'd be doing a favour to the fellow.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52I got a sense, a genuine sense,
0:37:52 > 0:37:56of relief on Jim's part there that something might actually,
0:37:56 > 0:37:58after decades, happen to that property.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02Yes, yeah, it must be a relief to know that we're taking it seriously.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04Obviously, resources are limited,
0:38:04 > 0:38:07so I need to prioritise which ones we do.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09The fact that that one's been reported,
0:38:09 > 0:38:11we've now had a chat with the neighbour, yes,
0:38:11 > 0:38:14it's something I'll prioritise slightly higher and see if we can
0:38:14 > 0:38:16- get some resolution for him.- Good stuff.
0:38:20 > 0:38:24Well, since that visit, the owners have now agreed to sell the property,
0:38:24 > 0:38:28meaning, hopefully, the garden will soon be under control and stop
0:38:28 > 0:38:31making life a misery for the next door neighbours.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39Evicting a tenant from a property is always a last resort,
0:38:39 > 0:38:43and with over 40,000 evictions in England and Wales in 2015 alone,
0:38:43 > 0:38:47housing officers have a lot of work to do, to ensure those properties
0:38:47 > 0:38:49are vacated as efficiently as possible.
0:38:52 > 0:38:56In Stroud, I'm with housing officers Shane Reece and Lucy David
0:38:56 > 0:39:00on the way to a recently vacated flat whose former tenant
0:39:00 > 0:39:03was clearly keen to protect their privacy.
0:39:06 > 0:39:10- Got a nice...- Videotape control.
0:39:10 > 0:39:11Videotape control, yeah.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13That looks really fake.
0:39:13 > 0:39:14Yeah, yeah.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17Why that was up there, your guess is as good as mine.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23Well, that camera might not be real, but the screws the council have put
0:39:23 > 0:39:27in place to secure the property are doing their job.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30We'll go in and have a look around and see exactly what state...
0:39:30 > 0:39:32Have you got the lights on?
0:39:33 > 0:39:34We've got a bunk bed.
0:39:34 > 0:39:40- Yeah.- And the downstairs has been used as a bed at some point and then
0:39:40 > 0:39:43just been totally covered in stuff.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45- Yeah.- The top seems to have some kind of Astroturf on it.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48Yeah, which is very strange, I've not seen that before.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50Obviously, I'm not going to go digging around...
0:39:50 > 0:39:52- No.- ..for fear of the unknown.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55When I started this programme, someone said to me, he said,
0:39:55 > 0:39:57"Don't put your hands anywhere you can't see..."
0:39:57 > 0:39:58- Yeah.- "And get good shoes..."
0:39:58 > 0:40:00- Yeah.- "And don't sit down on anything."
0:40:00 > 0:40:02The most important things, literally, because you don't know
0:40:02 > 0:40:04what you're going to find and unfortunately a lot
0:40:04 > 0:40:08of the properties we go into, you know, are left with needles,
0:40:08 > 0:40:10drug paraphernalia and everything else.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13Obviously, we never take any chances.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16Not sure what this is meant for.
0:40:16 > 0:40:17Oh, my God.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20The mess alone in here is enough to scare anyone off.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25This Aladdin's Cave of clutter starts to make a bit more sense when
0:40:25 > 0:40:28we see what's been cooking in the kitchen.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34The thing that initially catches my eye, obviously, and again
0:40:34 > 0:40:38I'm not going to touch it, is the fact that we've got some sort
0:40:38 > 0:40:41of wraps and spoons, which, for whatever reason,
0:40:41 > 0:40:44may have been used to perhaps, for drug use or whatever,
0:40:44 > 0:40:46heating things up and everything.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49Actually it looks like there's a sort of makeshift...
0:40:49 > 0:40:53I think that's referred to as a makeshift bong, we've got there.
0:40:53 > 0:40:57Maybe he wanted to smoke a few different types of drugs
0:40:57 > 0:40:58here in the kitchen.
0:40:58 > 0:41:04Yeah, yeah. Very, very strange selection of
0:41:04 > 0:41:06items again and all different things.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09And, obviously, there was some form of drug use going on at the property
0:41:09 > 0:41:11- by the evidence.- And a fondue set.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14And a fondue set, yeah. Everyone's got to have a fondue set, to be fair.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16He's got a fondue set up there.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19No sign of a cuddly toy, though.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23It's almost as if four people were living in here at different times.
0:41:26 > 0:41:32I feel like I'm missing something, trying to account for the strange
0:41:32 > 0:41:34collection of things that are in here.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36Whenever you come into a new property, you just go,
0:41:36 > 0:41:38"How does this all make sense?"
0:41:38 > 0:41:41When does somebody come in, then, and look at that and say, "Right,
0:41:41 > 0:41:43"we have to clear this out, put it into storage?"
0:41:43 > 0:41:46Yeah, so basically, because this property was an eviction,
0:41:46 > 0:41:49there's been 28 days' notice issued to that person.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52They or a family member can get and take whatever they want from the
0:41:52 > 0:41:55property within that 28 days accompanied by somebody from the
0:41:55 > 0:41:57council and at that point the 28 days is up,
0:41:57 > 0:42:00whatever's not taken or not claimed will be disposed of and we'll be
0:42:00 > 0:42:03getting in there to crack on with the void works and get it turned around.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06All right, good stuff. We'd better use the special locking device.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09- Yes, yeah, we'll lock it back up. - We're not using keys here, are we?
0:42:09 > 0:42:11No, we're using security screws to make it secure and there's a new
0:42:11 > 0:42:15door on order because the door was too damaged to actually fix.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18It couldn't be more secure because we've also got the video camera.
0:42:18 > 0:42:22- True.- Always keep an eye out.- Belt and braces.
0:42:22 > 0:42:23Great stuff.
0:42:26 > 0:42:30Well, it's unlikely we'll ever get to the bottom of how that very
0:42:30 > 0:42:33strange collection of objects managed to find itself in that flat,
0:42:33 > 0:42:36as after the required 28 days waiting period was up,
0:42:36 > 0:42:39nobody came forward to collect them.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42The items have since been disposed of and the council is carrying out
0:42:42 > 0:42:45repairs to the property to make it fit for the next tenant to enjoy.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55Well, as we've just seen, being a housing officer means a daily dose
0:42:55 > 0:42:58of tough choices and difficult decisions.
0:42:58 > 0:43:02But it's all in a day's work for the men and women fighting to
0:43:02 > 0:43:05ensure we can enjoy a safe place to call home.
0:43:05 > 0:43:09That's it for today, but join me again next time where I'll be back
0:43:09 > 0:43:11on the front line with the housing enforcers.