A POLITICIAN has called for Kirklees Council to deal with a home which has been empty for nearly 20 years.

The house on East Street in Lindley has not been occupied for more than 18 years.

The council took out an Empty Dwelling Management Order against the house in 2008 in an attempt to bring it back into use.

Tony Woodhead, former Lib Dem councillor for Lindley, this week demanded that Kirklees do something with the house.

SimonC was having none of it: “How very wrong it is that these Empty Dwelling Management Orders exist which allow councils to rent out houses against the wishes of the owners.

“If someone doesn’t want to live in a house they own or rent it out then so be it, providing, as is the case here, it isn’t causing any problems.”

In a Christmas twist, Santa disagreed with Simon: “I totally disagree. There is a great shortage of available dwellings in the area and it’s a shame that one has gone to waste for so long.

“Owners for whatever reason should not be allowed to just own houses for other reasons than they are intended.

“If what you say is correct, would it be right for a wealthy person to buy hundreds of empty properties just to hold on to them until the prices rise again?

“I fully agree with the former councillor Tony Woodhead.”

But seanjohnstone has an example which may make you think twice: “So what? The owner owns the house and can do with it what he/she wishes.

“Not his/her problem if others can’t afford to do the same.

“I own a very large back garden that I don’t have a particular use for.

“Should I allow those without a garden to use mine for picnics and walking their dogs? I don’t think so.”

Warren05 had a few questions: “What sort of people would the council put in these homes and who would benefit from the rent payments?

“Also, who is going to pay the cost of the council to bring these homes up to decent home standards?

“Who will foot the bill when the tenants damage the house? All this will be down to the taxpayer.

“No-one should be forced to let someone else live in their property. What about all the unused council buildings?

“Maybe they should make flats out of some of the unused rooms in the town hall.”