I live in a peaceful corner of Bristol. But the house next door is empty and full of rats

The number of empty homes has steadily increased across England, with councils increasingly worried about both the impact they have on local communities and the lost resource.

It makes you feel anxious because you have no idea what's going to happen next.

Ann Devereaux has loved her home in a quiet corner of Bristol for more than 25 years. However, the property next door, which is empty, collapsing, and overrun with pests, has been a regular source of anxiety. What was once just an eyesore is now a magnet for crime, she said. It's just open and vulnerable for abuse, she said.

Whether it's males coming out and urinating against the wall, heroin-dealing, or fly-tipping are all options

It makes me feel anxious whether I leave my house or come in at night. It's wearing me down emotionally. "She has witnessed violence outside her front door, and the rotting stench of garbage dumped inside the building often drifts into her living room.

Bristol City Council has ordered that the building's owner be responsible for making it safe. However, Ms Devereaux and others in St Werburgh's tight-knit community claim that the situation is

only getting worse. The roof of the derelict home collapsed just months ago, throwing hundreds of rats into nearby gardens.

It's a wasted resource, and I know there are a lot of places like this that are empty and decaying, and creating real problems,

Ms Devereaux said. If the owner does not comply with their obligations, the city council said it is

continuing to monitor the building" and would consider further steps, including stepping in to perform safety checks.

The BBC contacted the building's owner but there was no response. St Werburghs' residents say they want the property to be used urgently, and that their tale is not unique. Even as the country struggles with a housing shortage, the number of vacant homes in England has increased over the past decade. According to the most recent government statistics, there are now more than 700,000 empty homes. 264,884 are among those classified as long-term homeless, implying that no one has lived there for six months or more. The figure in Wales was 120,000 empty houses at the time when the reports were collected. The Welsh Government introduced a £50 million National Empty Homes scheme in 2023, which gave up to £25,000 for changes to homes to make them available again.

Housing charities are also seen as a missed opportunity for homeless charities. According to official reports, there were 4,667 people sleeping on the streets in England last night, a near-record high and the third annual increase in a row. 1625 Independent People, a Bristol charity, is attempting to change that. Future Builders is converting vacant homes for young people facing homelessness to rent at a reduced price.

Becky Hopkins was homeless in the city at just 18 years old.

I was completely lost, lonely, and isolated. I had feelings of self-hatred.

I was worried all the time,

she said. However, the service provided Ms Hopkins with a more affordable place to rent while she was planning for a longer-awaited future.

I could really concentrate on my mental stability and creating healthier habits after being in a stable position.

She is now 21, she is training to become a Royal Navy engineer.

It's a change I didn't think was possible," she said.

Local councils are on the frontlines of the empty homes crisis, and officials are now calling for increased authority and resources to bring more back to use. Specific officers are charged with tracing the owners of vacant buildings so they can be held accountable. South Gloucestershire Council's Sean Fudge leads the team, which has brought 47 properties back to use so far this year.

If left empty, they can lead to a community's decline, poverty, and decay,

he said. "We initially want to engage with the owner, but when it has a negative effect on the wider community, we must take enforcement action to stop the decline.

Law change call

If the property has been vacant for more than two years and the landlord isn't cooperating, councils can request an Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO). If granted, the council does not acquire ownership of the house, but it does have the right to control and possibly improve it, potentially lowering rent, thus recouping rent. However, this power is rarely used due to the lengthy and complicated process involved. According to government studies, only 20 decisions were made on EDMO applications in England between 2017 and 2020. The Local Government Association is pushing for reforms in the legislation to make it possible for councils to take over vacant house management. Action on Empty Homes is also urging empty properties to be used again.

Every empty house is a missed opportunity to improve the life of a family that is currently homeless,

campaign manager Chris Bailey said.

These are homes that are important and in the right places - in the middle of towns and cities where people want to live - where services are already available.

It's not a case of building a complete new town and waiting for ten years for it to happen,

says the author. These are homes that are available today and can be restored to use within a year.

But it is not always straightforward. Many homeowners die before the probate process, in which their assets are properly assessed and distributed. Jenni Sadler took over her mother's house in 2011. It's a great privilege to inherit a house, she said.

But it's sad to say that it'd be such a close family friend,

the family's house is theirs and they are the home.

The house had fallen into disrepair, and Ms Sadler struggled to pay the growing costs of essential renovations. As a result, the house has been deserted while work continues.

We discovered more and more things that needed to be fixed,she said.How can I do this? you're wondering. Ms Sadler has been able to borrow low-interest loans from Lendology, which works with councils, to help empty homes be restored to use. Through the Homes for Ukraine initiative, she now hopes to finish the renovations and rent out the house.

We are determined to solve the housing crisis we have inherited,

a spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government said, and we know that having too many empty homes in a neighborhood can have a huge effect on local communities.

We're giving councils more power to raise council tax on long-term empty homes in lieu of removing tax waivers for short-term leases,

says the spokesperson, and we'll continue to investigate further steps. [Contact redacted] If you want to contact us about this story "follow BBC West onFacebook,XandInstagram. Send your story ideas through WhatsApp [phone redacted]. Get all the headlines you need to start the day with our flagship newsletter. Sign up here.