High Street Rental Auctions

High Street Rental Auctions - a new tool to tackle long-term vacant properties

Nationally, vacancy rates have been rising, exacerbated by economic factors and changing consumer habits. This issue is something we all feel, as vacant buildings not only diminish the vibrancy of our high streets but can also impact local businesses and the broader community.

To help address this, legislation allowing High Street Rental Auctions (HSRA) has been introduced, giving local authorities the power to require landlords to rent out properties that have been persistently vacant for 12 months.

We believe the legislation offers a valuable tool in our broader efforts to support and revitalise our high streets. Our goal is to use this tool carefully and thoughtfully, ensuring that it complements other existing initiatives, such as our successful Meanwhile Programme which has already supported numerous local businesses in occupying vacant properties.

It is important to note that;

HSRA powers will only be used in a targeted and considered way.
Properties must be vacant for at least 12 months in a 2-year period
Landlords will always be contacted first to encourage voluntary letting and to see where the authority can provide support
The auction process is a last resort where engagement fails.

What is a High Street Rental Auction?

High Street Rental Auctions are a new power from central government that allows councils, where needed, to step in and auction leases on long-term vacant commercial properties. The aim is to get unused buildings back into productive use, bringing energy, enterprise, and footfall back to our town centres.

You can read more in our full Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) or visit the Government's HSRA Guidance.

Where could High Street Rental Auctions apply?

We are proposing to designate areas within our main town centres and some village high streets, specifically, the main town centre high streets in:
Attleborough, Dereham, Swaffham, Thetford, and Watton and a small number of village high streets where there are commercial properties and a risk of long-term vacancy.

These areas have been selected based on:

Current and historic vacancy rates
Local Plan and "Future Breckland" regeneration priorities
Potential to support thriving local centres

You can view the maps of these areas below, and tell us what you think. A full list of streets in these areas can be found on our Proposed Designated Areas for HSRAs Page

Have your say

We want your views on:

The areas we've proposed for designation
The potential benefits or concerns you see
How we can best support property owners and local enterprises

Complete the community engagement feedback form

Deadline: 23:59, Sunday 6th July, 2025.

Find out more information on how we can support new or existing businesses on our Business and Growth page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the High Street Rental Auction (HSRA)?

HSRA is a new power given to councils by the Government, allowing them to require landlords to rent out commercial properties that have been vacant for over 12 months (within a 24-month period). This aims to reduce long-term vacancies and bring vibrancy back to local high streets.

2. Why is this happening in Breckland?

Although Breckland's vacancy rate is lower than the national average (around 10% vs. 13.9%), empty units still impact our town centres. Through the "Future Breckland" programme, the Council is committed to creating thriving, vibrant high streets—and HSRA is one more tool to support that goal.

3. How does the HSRA process work?

In brief:
Step 1: Council identifies a persistently vacant property.
Step 2: Council serves notice to the landlord to let it.
Step 3: If not let within 8 weeks, the Council can run an auction to assign a lease.
Step 4: A 12-week auction process begins. The full process takes up to 6 months.
For full guidance, please visit the Government's HSRA Guidance page.

4. Will landlords lose ownership of their property?

No. HSRA only enables the Council to assign a lease on behalf of the landlord if no action is taken. The landlord remains the legal owner of the property.

5. Can landlords still let their properties voluntarily?

Absolutely. This is the preferred outcome. The Council will work closely with landlords to help them rent their property without needing to start the HSRA process.

6. What types of tenants could move in?

Local businesses, social enterprises, start-ups, and community groups are all possible tenants, depending on the needs of the local area and the suitability of the premises.

7. What areas are being considered for HSRA?

All town centres in Breckland and village high streets with commercial premises are being considered. You can view the maps of the town and village areas above. You can also find the list of streets on our Proposed Designated Areas for HSRAs Page

8. What is the Council doing to support landlords?

Alongside HSRA, we offer:
1. Signposting to business support and advice
2. Access to our "Meanwhile Programme"
3. Help finding tenants
4. Signposting to grants and funding
Find out more information on how we can support new or existing businesses on our Business and Growth page.

9. How can I have my say or find out more?

1. Have your say by completing our HSRA community engagement form.
2. Visit our Proposed Designated Areas for HSRAs Page, to see the list of proposed streets to be included in HSRAs.
3. Visit the Government's HSRA Guidance page, to find out more on HSRAs.

If you have any questions about High Street Rental Auctions in Breckland, please reach out to Businessdevelopment@breckland.gov.uk

Last modified on 09 June 2025

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High Street Rental Auctions