FOI request details

Back

Request

Subject: Empty properties

Reference: WBC-FOI-00896

Could you please send me a copy of the:

(a) addresses of all empty or unused privately owned homes, which have been empty for more than 12 Months, that are within the Wandsworth borough.

(b) addresses of all empty or unused council owned homes, which have been empty for more than 12 Months, that are within the Wandsworth borough.

(c) addresses of all empty or unused commercial properties, which have been empty for more than 12 Months, that are within the Wandsworth borough.

Response

None Disclosed - 28 February 2023

Section 31(1)(a) - Law Enforcement - Prevention and detection of crime

Information is exempt from disclosure where this would be likely to prejudice the prevention and detection of crime. It is the Council's opinion that to disclose whether or not specific residential properties are empty would be likely to prejudice the prevention and detection of crime by enabling empty residential properties to be identified. In coming to this conclusion, the Council is reminded that disclosure of information under the Freedom of Information Act is akin to publication and the Council has a duty to consider the effects of releasing the information into the public domain when there is no control over how it is distributed or used.

This exemption requires the Council to consider the public interest test when considering whether to disclose the requested information. Whilst the Council recognises that there is a general public interest in transparency, we are also bound to consider the strong public interest in reducing the potential for criminal activity. Overall, we find that the latter argument carries more weight.

For details of empty commercial properties, please see the following link: https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/business-and-licensing/business-rates/business-rates-foi-requests/

Please note that our responses were accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of release, and have not subsequently been updated. This information should be considered an historical record only.