Over 800 derelict properties have been put back into use in Wolverhampton.

The council launched its Empty Property Strategy in 2010, and it has seen more than 800 privately owned houses brought back into use in the last four years.

The council aims to ensure that rather than the properties becoming a blight on their neighbourhood, they are either sold to new homeowners or rented out to tenants.

Specialist Housing Improvement Officers, from the council's Private Sector Housing Team, have worked with the owners of properties left empty for a long period of time to encourage and support them to carry out any required works and get them occupied once again.

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The success is being highlighted during West Midlands Private Sector Housing Week of Action which continues until Friday 14 November.

Councillor Peter Bilson, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Prosperity, said: "We are very proud of the work we are doing in Wolverhampton to tackle empty properties - and the benefits it is bringing to residents and the city as a whole.

"Not only is it providing more affordable housing to people in Wolverhampton, but it is also improving the city and helping boost the local economy.

"The properties we have become involved with have often stood empty for many years and, as a result, the condition of them has often deteriorated dramatically.

"This strategy is helping to put these houses back on the market - either to sell or rent - and this in turn is having a positive effect in the areas they are in.

"In addition, it means landlords are once again seeing rental income come in, the value of their properties is increasing and local shops and services are benefiting from new residents occupying the houses - providing a significant boost to the economy."

(CD/JP)