Void household properties are those which are connected to mains water and/or sewerage systems but are not charged because they are believed to be empty.
We are keen to reduce the number of these properties by identifying those that are actually occupied.
During the business plan process in 2019 we set ourselves the challenging target to reduce the number of void household properties on our systems to 2.10 per cent annually, a position we have not been in since 2016/17.
If we meet that target we will receive an outperformance payment, however if we fail to reach it we will receive an underperformance penalty.
How have we performed?
The number of void household properties is at 1.8 percent, exceeding our 2023/24 target of 2.1 per cent.
We have maintained the same position we were in 2022/23. We did this by reviewing letters and processes, and sending correspondence to properties as soon as we knew the property is empty but occupied.
We continue to use our in-house app Pikavoid. The app has allowed us to focus on any properties nearby where our staff members have identified that they are not empty.
Due to our positive performance against this target, we will receive a £0.255 million outperformance payment.