Stoke-on-Trent City Council has brought a long-term empty residential property on Ullswater Avenue back into use following council action to secure its sale.
The property had been unoccupied for many years and had fallen into poor repair. The council obtained an order for sale in 2025 and the property was subsequently sold at auction in April 2026.
Following the sale, the council worked with the new owners to ensure the property was refurbished to a good standard. The property is now occupied once again.
Why the council took action
Councillor Duncan Walker, cabinet member for safe and resilient communities and housing, said long-term empty properties can fall into disrepair and in some cases become a focus for anti-social behaviour.
"We want Stoke-on-Trent to be a clean, green and safe city for everyone, and tackling long-term empty properties is part of that," Councillor Walker said.
