A long-neglected ground-floor flat in Blackpool that had stood empty for around a decade has been brought back into use after council action forced its sale.
The property, on Filey Place, had fallen into serious disrepair, with extensive dry rot and a pigeon infestation left untreated, despite the first-floor flat above being occupied by a tenant.
The condition of the building had raised concerns over both structural safety and health risks.
Blackpool Council took enforcement action against the owner in a bid to resolve ongoing issues affecting the upstairs resident and to recover thousands of pounds in unpaid council tax.
Over several years, the council successfully prosecuted the owner multiple times, but the individual repeatedly failed to comply with court orders requiring improvement works to be carried out.
A final legal step, a Charging Order, ultimately allowed the authority to force the sale of the building, which comprises two separate flats.
Councillor Dave Flanagan, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for housing, said the case highlighted the authority’s determination to tackle neglected properties.
"This property was causing real problems," he said.
"It was run down and full of dry rot, which can pose health risks through damp and mould exposure and also impact a building’s structural safety.
"This simply wasn’t fair on the resident living upstairs in a home owned by a different, responsible landlord."
He added: "Our teams tried a number of routes to enforce action, eventually forcing a sale which allowed the council to recover more than £10,000 of unpaid council tax and see the property taken on by a responsible operator.
"Through our Empty Properties Taskforce, we are taking proactive action to seek out those who disregard the wellbeing of our people, our communities and our local businesses.
"Responsible landlords who do the right thing have nothing to fear, but anyone who thinks they can ignore officers and warnings issued by the council, and let homes or commercial premises become wrecks should be in no doubt that we will use every power available to us to hold them to account.
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"This isn’t just about fixing up properties, but about strengthening communities.
"We want all our neighbourhoods to feel safe, welcoming and attractive."
The building has since been bought by a local developer, who has fully renovated both the ground and first-floor flats into a single dwelling.
As part of the process, the first-floor tenant was supported by the council to move into alternative accommodation.
Blackpool Council said its Empty Properties Taskforce, a multi-agency team, continues to target landlords who fail to meet safety and maintenance standards, combining enforcement action with support to bring empty homes back into use and improve neighbourhoods across the town.
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