FOI Request - Empty Properties Owned by Council

Request 101003187510

1. (a) How many residential properties does the council currently own?
(b) What is the total value (or estimated value) of these properties?

2. (a) How many residential properties does the council own which are currently vacant/ empty?
(b) What is the total value (or estimated value) of these properties?

3. (a) How many residential properties does the council own which have been vacant/ empty for more than six months?
(b) What is the total value (or estimated value) of these properties?

4. Please provide a list of all residential properties that the council currently owns which have been vacant/ empty for more than six months. For each property, please state: (i) the full address; (ii) the number of bedrooms; (iii) the amount paid for the property at time of purchase; (iv) the current estimated value, if known.

Response 19-12-2022

1.(a)  This is exempt under Section 25 – Information Otherwise Accessible and available e.g. published on a website etc. For ease of reference please see here: https://www.housingregulator.gov.scot/landlord-performance/landlords/moray-council#panel-3 You can find the number of stocks under Housing Stock.

(b) The net book value of residential properties at 31.3.22 was £396,976,954

2.(a) As at 25 November 2022, there are currently 92 properties that are vacant/empty.

(b) Not held. Information not available. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held.

3.(a) As at 25 November 2022, there are currently 21 properties which have been vacant for more than 6 months.

(b) Not held. Information not available. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held.

4.(i) Disclosing the addresses of empty residential properties could increase the risk of criminal activity being targeted at those houses. This information is therefore exempt
under section 35(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) 2002; prejudice to the prevention or detection of crime. It is not considered in the public interest to release this information and it is deemed that there is a risk of substantial prejudice to the prevention of crime if this information were to be released.

(ii) Please find the information requested here.

(iii) & (iv) Not held. Information not available. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held.