Mansfield District Council has registered for High Street Rental Auctions (HRSAs) to help us to work with landlords to bring persistently vacant properties back into use.
Where relevant properties are identified, HSRAs give us the power to instruct landlords to rent out their properties to new tenants such as local businesses or community groups to make use of the space. Under this scheme, which has been adopted by other local authorities across the country, we will be able to take action to fill long-term vacant properties by auctioning lease rights of up to five years.
The scheme is delivered through the Ministry for Homes, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and Communities and Inclusive Growth Policy and Strategy Division.
Conditions
To qualify for the HSRA, premises must satisfy the 'vacancy condition' (unoccupied continuously for 12 months or for at least 366 days non-continuously within a 24-month period) and the 'local benefit condition' (occupation of the premises for a suitable high street use would be beneficial to the local economy, society or environment).
The premises must all be located within the designated HRSA area (see below).
The Process
After surveying premises within the designated HRSA area, we then create a Vacancy Register and begin a 28 day Consultation period to gather opinion from Mansfield people on the scheme and its aims. The Council will work with landlords to discuss their plans for their premises. This can take 22-24 weeks to complete.
From there, we start the HSRA Notice Period and Auction process, which can take a further 24 weeks.
Designated Area
The Council has confirmed a Designated Area in Mansfield town centre where High Street Rental Auctions can be used, which follows the boundaries of the Town Centre Plan. This area has a vacancy rate of 17%.
Contact us
If you wish to find out more about the Mansfield HSRA scheme, email hsra@mansfield.gov.uk or by post to HSRA, Mansfield District Council, Civic Centre, Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG19 7BH.