Councils selected as “early adopters” of high street rental auction powers

Four local authorities in England have been selected as early adopters of high street rental auction powers.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said Bassetlaw, Darlington and Mansfield councils would “set an example for other local authorities across England”, while Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council will join the programme in an advisory role as a critical friend.

It said additional local authorities had been invited to join the programme at a later stage. 

Legislation was laid last month to bring the powers, originally introduced by the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, into force today (2 December).

The MHCLG said the changes would “stop disengaged landlords sitting on empty lots for more than 365 days in a 24-month period, before councils can auction a one-to-five year lease”. 

A local authority must first seek to resolve the vacancy by engaging with the landlord. 

The Government will provide £1m in funding to support the auction process.

Local Growth Minister Alex Norris said: “High streets lie at the heart of communities the length and breadth of this country. But in many areas, they are not what they used to be. 

“Small businesses need our support and that’s why we are creating a ‘right to rent’ so that high street lots that have been left empty for far too long can be brought back to life. We want shops and shoppers back on the high street – and that’s what these changes will help to bring.” 

See also: High Street revival - Lucy McDonnell and Megan Forbes look at how the auction regime will work, including from a planning perspective.