Written questions

Retail Trade: Empty Property

Commons · Question 60963 · Tabled 18 Jun 2025 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government · Official record

Answered 24 Jun 2025

Question

Asked by Max Wilkinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is taking steps to require overseas landlords who own empty retail units to engage with local authorities.

Answer

Answered by Alex Norris, 24 Jun 2025

This government has introduced High Street Rental Auctions, powers available to local authorities in England to require landlords, regardless of their country of residence, to rent out vacant commercial premises. As a deterrent it is a criminal offence fo...