Vacant homes put on the market

OLDHAM Council has put seven vacant houses on the market to bring them back into use for local families and prevent vandalism.

The council has appointed Clarke & Co Estate Agents to act on its behalf to market and sell the homes, which were originally acquired through the Housing Market Renewal programme.

All the properties need of refurbishment; the authority is insisting essential works to make them habitable must be completed before a sale is completed.

The properties are: 21 Dean Street, 1 Ward Street, and 33 Main Street (all in Failsworth); 9 Marble Street, 38 Derker Street (both in Derker); 388 Huddersfield Road; and 227 Ripponden Road.

Councillor Dave Hibbert, cabinet member for housing, regeneration and transport, said: “Oldham Council is committed to getting vacant properties back into use and boosting our borough’s housing stock.

“These are difficult economic times for local families and in cases like this — wherever possible — we will act to improve the availability of affordable homes.

“We also know that vacant properties are a blight on local neighbourhoods, attracting vandals and becoming a focus for anti-social behaviour, so it was important that we included the condition of sale that these homes are first brought back into a habitable condition.

“We hope these properties will attract either individuals looking to refurbish a home for their own occupation, or local building companies seeking to renovate for sale or rent on the open market.”

Anyone who is interested in making an offer for any of the properties should contact Clarke & Co Estate Agents, 586-588 Broadway, Chadderton, Oldham, OL1 9NF, on 0161-682 5300 or visit the website at www.tomclarke.co.uk.

The closing date for the submission of offers is noon on Wednesday, October 26.