AN EMPTY private house has been taken over by South Lakeland District Council to provide accommodation for a homeless family.

The vandalised property in Kendal has become the subject of the district’s first Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO).

So far, only 40 EMDOs have been granted in the UK. An order enables the local authority to take over management of a property for up to seven years.

The Kendal property - a two-bedroom semi in Mintsfeet Road - had attracted numerous complaints from neighbours.

SLDC is now improving the house, which will be rented to a family through South Lakes Housing.

The rent will be used to pay for the renovation and any surplus will be handed over to the owner when the property is returned at the end of the management period.

The EMDO follows a campaign launched last year by SLDC and Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron to bring some of the estimated 1,000 empty properties in the South Lakes back in to use.

Mr Farron said: “When I heard that the council had taken over its first empty property I was delighted.

"This is the first step towards helping provide a hard working local family a home.

"I recently went to see the property which is now being renovated and I hope it’s only a matter of time before it can be offered out.”