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Bridgend empty property owner fined nearly £6,000 after repeated failure to engage
Wednesday 06 May 2026
An empty property owner in Bridgend has been ordered to pay £5,950 by Cardiff Magistrates’ Court after repeatedly failing to respond to statutory requests for information.
Shared Regulatory Services (SRS) issued the notice under Section 16 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, requiring the owner to provide details needed to support efforts to bring the long-term empty property back into use. Despite this, the owner failed to engage.
At the hearing, magistrates highlighted the owner’s lack of cooperation and the impact this had on attempts to prevent the property from falling into further disrepair. They described it as “foolish to ignore opportunities to come and have conversations”, adding that enforcement action was intended to bring the owner “to the table” and avoid the home becoming derelict.
“Empty homes do not simply sit unnoticed. When left unoccupied, they can attract vandalism, create concern within the community, and represent a missed opportunity for families in urgent need of housing. “Our first approach is always to engage constructively with property owners, and in many cases this cooperation leads to positive outcomes. However, when an owner repeatedly fails to respond to formal requests for information, we have a clear responsibility to take further action. “This case highlights the consequences of failing to engage with the council. Owners of long-term empty properties are urged to work with SRS to bring homes back into use and avoid further enforcement action.”