THE council is highlighting the number of empty homes in the borough during a week of action.

Bexley currently has 1,022 privately-owned homes which are empty.

But the council has its own strategy to bring them back into use, using a carrot and stick method.

It uses legislation to force owners to put their properties into a good state of repair.

If owners will not do it, the council may carry out the repairs itself and recoup the money.

This sometimes leads to the forced sale of the property to pay off the debt.

But owners may also qualify for an interest-free loan from the council for repairs in return for allowing the council to let the property out to tenants.

Under a three-year agreement, the loan will be recovered over a set period.

The owner will benefit from rental income.

They will also not have to pay a 90 per cent council tax on the property.

Any company or individual interested in buying an empty property can contact the council, who will pass the information onto owners.

Residents concerned about an empty property near to them can also call Anna Lee, the council's empty homes officer, on 020 8303 7777 ext 5102, for advice.