A rat infestation, extensive damage and "very large piles of rubbish" - this is the state some council properties in Stevenage have been left in when vacated by tenants recently, as more than 2,000 people wait on the housing register for a home.

The state of disrepair is the reason some of Stevenage Borough Council's (SBC) properties remain empty, despite 2,340 people being on the housing register in November. 

The council says 84 of its homes remained empty in November, equating to just over one per cent of its housing stock.

Properties are generally empty due to the occupants being rehoused, with necessary works then required before new tenants can move in, SBC explained.

Councillors Stephen Booth and Julie Ashley-Wren  visited three empty properties in October, to shed light on the situation.

A subsequent report noted that a three-bedroom property in Bedwell "had been left in a terrible condition with very large piles of rubbish at the side of the property and in the garden, including over 100 soiled nappies".

It said: "The property had been rat-infested due to the poor condition the tenant had been living in. The family living at the property had contained young children, so there were child safeguarding issues."

There had also been a first-floor flood in the bathroom, which had damaged both the bathroom and the kitchen ceiling.

Cllr Ashley-Wren said: "It is shocking how people are living, particularly when little children are part of the equation.

"I think it highlights the need for regular inspections to all council 
properties.

"Unfortunately, so many professionals are no longer visiting children for health check-ups. The NHS and social care are really struggling, so many issues are not being addressed and people who could manage to live independently with support are just not able to cope."

A property in Roebuck had been left in an untidy and damaged state, with broken doors and broken tiles in the bathroom, the report says.

It notes the carpets were all damaged and would need to be removed, the property smelt very damp, and the previous tenant had left a lot of personal possessions and litter.

"There was a lot of work needed to bring the property back to a lettable state," the report says.

It also highlights how a property in Martins Wood had been brought back to a lettable standard, having been in a "state of major disrepair because of the behaviour of the former tenant".

Cllr Ashley-Wren said: "Some of the properties are in a disgusting state when they become voids. I am concerned delays in the turnaround of properties is due to a lack of staff in the in-house team.

"Surely, to resolve this, we should be outsourcing if we can’t increase the number of in-house staff.

"We need to make these properties available as a matter of urgency. Our families need us to up our game to support them with appropriate accommodation."

She also said the "issue of properties going under the radar" and being vacated without the council's knowledge must be addressed.

"It is a travesty that other families are living in inadequate accommodation while properties are lying empty, for in some cases a year," Cllr Ashley-Wren said.

"This must have financial issues for SBC, including being required to pay the council tax on these properties, that becomes 150 per cent of the 
amount when a property has been empty for six months, I believe."

A spokesperson for Stevenage Borough Council said: “The council is increasing its tenancy audit regime to tackle any breaches of tenancy agreements during the period of a tenancy.

“Perpetrators are pursued and billed for any damages caused.

"The council is working hard to reduce void times, including the use of partnering arrangements where specialist work is required in properties, ensuring homes are made available to new tenants quickly.”