Sefton Council has urged owners of empty properties to come forward for support as National Empty Homes Week draws to a close.
The council said it is keen to work with property owners to bring vacant homes back into use across the borough, where housing is in short supply.
Owners can contact the Housing Standards team on 0345 140 0845 or at private.housing@sefton.gov.uk for advice. Residents concerned about an empty property in their area can also use those details to report it.
Councillor Daren Veidman, the Cabinet member with responsibility for housing, said: “It’s a well-known fact that there is a shortage of housing in Sefton and bringing empty properties back into use is one of the ways of meeting that need.”
He added: “Wherever possible the Council’s priority is to work with property owners, although we do also have enforcement measures available to us.”
Empty properties in Sefton that are unoccupied or occupied only periodically are now subject to a 100% council tax premium, meaning the total payable is 200% of the standard rate.
Where engagement with owners is unsuccessful, the council can use enforced sales to bring vacant properties back into use.
Cllr Veidman said the council is also investing in new housing supply.
“In the coming months 18 apartments at Buckley Hill in Netherton, the first new council housing in Sefton since 2006 will be handed over to the Council,” he said.
The apartments are a mixture of one and two-bedroom units, which will be let to local people through the Property Pool Plus housing allocations scheme, with priority given to people with a connection to the local area.
Cllr Veidman added: “And we have recently announced the new Sefton2030 partnership with The Sovini Group to build over 1,000 new, social and affordable homes for local people, by 2030.”
National Empty Homes Week is organised by Action on Empty Homes, a national campaigning charity.