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A derelict home that stood empty for 14 years causing a nuisance to the community has now been transformed into a new family home due to the work carried out by Oldham based Aksa Homes, part of the New Charter Housing Trust Group.

Aksa Homes, in partnership with Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, has developed a new letting and property repair service, Homes for All. It is this service that has been the catalyst to renovate the property on Busk Road, Oldham which has now welcomed its first tenant, Natalie Ann Kirk and her family.

Natalie comments on her new home: “I was living in temporary accommodation with my 3 children prior to moving into Busk Road but now we have a permanent home. I would like to thank Aksa for all the help they have given to us, it is very much appreciated.”

The newly tenanted property had been neglected and was an eyesore in the neighbourhood. Due to its run-down condition Oldham Council were forced to contact the owner. They suggested he engage with Aksa Homes and utilise their Homes for All service in order to bring the property up to a good standard.

The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) submitted the successful joint Empty Homes funding bid on behalf of the ten district authorities in Greater Manchester. Cllr Ged Cooney of the AGMA Planning & Housing Commission said: “AKSA and other housing associations, in partnership with district authorities, are working hard to bring back over 800 homes into occupation for Greater Manchester. Credit should be given to AKSA for their continued commitment to tackling empty homes, thereby increasing the supply of available homes, as well as reducing the impacts that properties laying empty can have on their neighbourhoods.”

Empty derelict homes such as the one on Busk Road are a blot on the landscape and a wasted resource, ‘Homes for All’ is a service that is aimed at bringing those long term empty properties back into use.

Aksa took on the property and carried out extensive work including the rebuilding of the pathways and patio area, new gates and pathway, refitting of kitchen including all utility adjustments and installation of new boiler, repair/renewing doors and furniture. The total cost for the work carried out was £14k. This will be paid back through rental income.

Commenting on the new letting service Director of Aksa Homes, Mushtaq Khan says: “This is the first empty property we have brought back to use which has involved major work. The owner now receives a monthly income rather than the liability he previously had. And we are able to re-house a family from temporary accommodation which is unsuitable for families".

Mushtaq adds: “We have set up a programme with the help of the Government’s Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) where we can invest over £1.3m in Oldham in bringing empty private homes back into use. We want to turn those properties into desirable homes for single people and families to rent.”

Christine Duffin, Area Manager at the HCA said: “Tackling empty homes that blight our communities and neighbourhoods up and down the country is one of the HCA’s key priorities. It’s fantastic to see how partners have worked collaboratively to bring a long term empty property back into use. Through our Affordable Homes Programme and the Clusters of Empty Homes Programme, we’re looking forward to continuing our work with partners to help transform properties and create much needed homes for local people.”

Homes for All has been developed with the aim of helping people in Oldham and the surrounding areas to find good standard, affordable homes, with long-term tenancies in the private sector.

Do you have an empty property like this one that we could help you bring back into use?

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It is not just Oldham where there is a housing problem. There is a growing demand for private rented property throughout the country, which has come about due to a variety of reasons; lack of lending to first time buyers, the flat housing market and long waiting lists for social housing.

Empty homes are a blot on the landscape and a wasted resource, ‘Homes for All’ is a service that is aimed at bringing those long term empty properties back into use and Aksa are targeting potential owners and landlords to use the new service to find them a tenant or lease their property for Aksa to let and manage for the lease period of 2 – 7 years.

Commenting on the new letting service Director of Aksa, Mushtaq Khan says: ‘Homes for All’ is going to have a positive benefit for all property seekers in the Oldham area. We are looking into making the private sector more accessible to a wider group of people and improving the standards of properties available. Our lettings charges will be open and transparent and both landlords and tenants will benefit from no hidden charges.”

Mushtaq adds: “We have also set up a programme with the help of the government’s Homes and Communities Agency where we can invest over a £1m in Oldham in bringing empty private homes back into use. We want to turn those properties into desirable homes for single people and families to rent.”

Aksa will soon be holding a ‘Homes for All’ presentation, the date to be confirmed which will be the perfect opportunity for owners and landlords to attend and discover how this new scheme will be beneficial to them.

To register to attend the forthcoming event please contact Aksa on 0161 620 2992 or email socialletttingandbond@aksahomes.co.uk

Notes to editors:

Aksa Homes is part of the New Charter Housing Trust Group (NCHTG). It owns approximately 700 homes across Oldham, Bury, Manchester and Tameside.

New Charter formed in 2000 as the new landlords to own and manage homes transferred from Tameside council in Greater Manchester. With a turnover of £90 million a year and a workforce of 800, New Charter is one of the region’s largest registered providers of social housing, and is regulated by the Tenant Services Authority, a Government watchdog. By incorporating Gedling Homes, the Group owns 18,600 homes. It was named 7^th in the Sunday Times best 100 companies to work for in 2012.

Training was also given on other services and how to get involved in them e.g Oldham Council’s Neighbourhood Team, Police Community Support Services, School Governing Body Service and other public groups.

At the end of the five week session, all of the women received certificates and were really proud of their achievement.

All of the ladies who took part now feel more confident and are getting involved in more training with Aksa. Hopefully the skills they have learnt will also help lead them to education and employment.

So far, the Panel have looked at various company policies to make sure they are focused on customers. Soon they will be looking at the Handyman service to see how this service can be developed, improve service to tenants and help to save money at Aksa Homes.

Members of the Panel have also started attending Tenants’ Meetings to collect tenants’ views on various subjects, e.g repairs. If anyone would like to join the Tenants’ Panel and help make a difference in the community, or to simply share your views, please contact Tanuja at the Aksa office on 0161 620 2992.