Adur Homes: empty homes

About empty homes

Whenever tenants move out of Adur District Council properties, the homes are reviewed to assess how much work is needed to be done to them before new tenants can move in.

Generally, we prioritise those properties that require the least work, so that homes can be brought back into use as quickly as possible for Adur families.

However that means that if a property needs a considerable amount of work to be done to it, it can be left empty for longer than we would like while we focus on other homes. We recognise that although there are benefits to the way we've done this, it can be frustrating to residents to see a home sitting empty and unloved when there are so many in need of somewhere to live. We've decided to change our approach to tackle that build-up of properties that require more intensive programmes of work.

Photo: Southwick council homes (Coates Court)

Our investment programme in Southwick

Starting in June 2026, we are spending up to £2 million refurbishing and improving council homes in Southwick for Adur families in need of somewhere to live.

These 44 empty include a number that require significant investment to bring them up to a good standard so new tenants can move in.

The first homes being renovated are in Watling Court, Grange Court and Coates Court. Teams will then carry out similar work in Sea House, Locks Court, Rock Close, Albion House, Harbour Court, Wyck Court and Channel View.

The amount of work required varies between properties, but some homes could need a new kitchen and bathroom as well as upgraded heating and insulation, plus new fans and ventilation systems. They will also be redecorated throughout.

Three different contractors are being used at the same time, which should allow the project to be completed in as little as six months.

As soon as the work on each individual home is completed, the council will seek to move in new tenants from its housing register. It is hoped that the first refurbished flats could be occupied by the end of June 2026.

Lee Cowan, Adur Cabinet Member for Housing, said:

“Every one of our tenants deserves a home that is safe, secure and sustainable.

“This work will mean scores of our Adur residents in need of somewhere to live can soon move into good quality social housing in their area, while we invest millions of pounds to improve our other Adur Homes properties.”

Photo: Southwick council homes (Sea House)

What this means for the regeneration of coastal Southwick

Our empty homes work in Southwick forms part of our focus on improving homes for residents to meet national standards.

Our long-term intention is to redevelop the whole of the coastal Southwick area bounded by Grange Road in the west, the A259 to the south, Colebrook Road in the east and Butts Road and Rock Close to the north, to create new, better-quality council homes and community facilities. The sites of Watling Court and Grange Court are also included in the plan.

Discussions with tenants and leaseholders suggest the majority of residents support this approach, which has an estimated cost of more than £150 million and would take a number of years to plan, design and fund.

In the meantime, the government intends to merge councils in Sussex together to improve services for residents, which will mean Adur District Council will cease to exist.

We have therefore paused any plan for widescale redevelopment of the coastal Southwick area until there is some certainty about the new authority that will replace Adur.

Instead, with the significant investment needed for that large-scale regeneration likely to be a number of years away at best, it is investing millions of pounds to improve our properties in the area for our tenants.

Photo: Southwick council homes (Locks Court)

Back to top