About NAEPP

What is NAEPP?

The National Association of Empty Property Practitioners was established in May 2001 to support people involved in delivering empty property strategies. It was launched by empty property practitioners with the support of government ministers, the Housing Corporation and the Empty Homes Agency.

Who are 'Empty Property Practitioners'?

You don't have to be a dedicated Empty Homes or Empty Property Officer to belong to NAEPP. A high proportion of our local authority members are either Housing Enabling / Housing Strategy Officers or Private Sector Environmental Health Officers, depending on who leads on empty property work. We also have members who work for Registered Social Landlords and regeneration partnerships etc. The main criterion is that you are involved in tackling empty property as a part of your job.

If you attend a regional or area Empty Property Forum, you should belong to NAEPP: NAEPP is as close as we can reasonably hope to get to having a National Empty Property Forum.

The Aims of NAEPP

NAEPP'S constitution defines the aims of the organisation as follows:

  • To promote unity and understanding amongst Empty Property Practitioners.
  • To raise the status and profile of Empty Property Practitioners.
  • To promote the role of Empty Property Practitioners.
  • To promote the development of professional standards through training and dissemination of good practice.
  • To promote policies and practices which offer effective responses to the challenges presented by Empty Property
  • To share information, skills and experience with other organisations and individuals in the furtherance of the foregoing aims

Becoming a Subscriber

If you are not an empty homes practitioner you can still support NAEPP and benefit from our extensive on-line resources by subscribing to our website.  This costs £75 per annum.

Current initiatives

We're currently promoting our draft Action Plan for a national Empty Homes Initiative.  This has over 40 separate suggestions for improving what we as a country do about empty homes.  It calls on the government to give national leadership on the issue with delivery continuing to be driven by local authorities through properly organised and funded local initiatives.

Some NAEPP successes to date

Best Value Performance Indicator 64

In a an example of exceptional partnership working between practitioners and central government, the NAEPP Guidelines on Best Value Performance Indicator 64 have been officially endorsed by the ODPM. This illustrates the government's commitment to listening to practitioners on the ground. Participation in NAEPP gives local authorities the opportunity to shape the environment in which they work.

Access to Council Tax Data

NAEPP wrote to the government whilst the Local Government Bill 2003 was going through parliament requesting a clause allowing practitioners access to Council Tax data for the purposes of furthering their Empty Homes Strategies. The relevant clauses allowing access to Council Tax data were then added to the Bill. A key official wrote " thought I would convey my thanks to you for getting the ball rolling on this. Your letter in response to the draft bill really sparked off a lively debate at ODPM".

NAEPP will continue to develop a policy agenda aimed at helping local authorities bring more empty properties back into use. Your involvement in NAEPP will help you shape that agenda.

Other NAEPP initiatives

Empty Dwelling Management Orders (compulsory leasing). NAEPP member representation has been crucial in lobbying for new tools for practitioners, and in contributing to the ongoing development of both concept and new legislation.

How does NAEPP work?

NAEPP is a small organisation. Empty Property Practitioners are a select bunch! Legally, it is an unincorporated association like most clubs or membership organisations of its size. Currently, it has no paid employees although the orgnisation is administered and routine costs are covered by peer2peer services on the basis of a percentage of the membership fee.  It relies on the participation of its members to be effective. Emails and and this website are the main channels of communication. The Executive comprises representatives from all the regional fora plus elected Officers and co-opted members.

The Executive Committee meets 3 times a year, currently alternating between Birmingham and Londo; it also works by e-mail in between meetings). If you want to help run NAEPP eg by becoming involved in the Executive, by helping draft Consultation Responses or by helping organise meetings etc. then please let us know. Your input will be welcome.

You can apply to join NAEPP here - or contact us for further information.