Which buildings go on the map
CADO maps buildings that are stuck: empty or neglected for a long time, with no clear route back into use, and important to the people who live around them. This page explains what we include, what we don’t, and how we decide.
What we mean by “delinquent ownership”
We use “delinquent ownership” to describe a situation, not a person. It means a building of local importance has been left empty or neglected for a long time.
There are many reasons this happens: probate, disputed ownership, insolvency, money problems, planning or legal obstacles, or simply nobody acting. Putting a building on the map doesn’t mean we think its owner has done anything wrong.
The four tests
A building goes on the map when all four of these are true.
It’s empty or mostly unused. No one is living in it. A building that is partly used, such as a shop with empty floors above, can be included if no homes are involved.
It’s been that way for a long time. At least three years, or less if it is clearly derelict, for example with an open roof or serious structural damage.
It matters locally. People care about it: it was or could be used by the community, it’s a local landmark, it has heritage value, or it’s important to a high street or neighbourhood.
Nothing is bringing it back into use. There’s no sign of repair or refurbishment actually underway. Planning permission on its own doesn’t count if nothing has happened on site for 12 months, and demolition doesn’t count as bringing a building back.
What we don’t include
Homes people live in, including homes that are partly empty or in poor repair.
Buildings that are being used, even if they look run down.
Personal disputes. Please don’t submit a building because of a disagreement with its owner, a landlord or a neighbour.
Buildings you simply dislike, or planning decisions you disagree with.
Buildings that closed recently. If it’s been empty for less than three years, we may keep your submission and check again later.
If a building is dangerous right now, report it to the local council. In an emergency, call 999.
What an entry on the map shows
the building’s name and location (sometimes shown approximately, to protect privacy)
what kind of building it is
its condition
roughly how long it has been empty, as reported to us
why it matters locally
the type of owner, such as “company” or “council”
photos
the date we last checked the entry
We never publish the name of any owner, whether a person, a company or a public body. We only show the type of owner.
We never publish the name or contact details of the person who told us about the building, unless they ask us to.
How we decide
The CADO team reviews every submission against the four tests before anything appears on the map. We may edit the wording, ask for more information, hold a submission while we check it, or decide not to publish it.
We make proportionate checks, but we can’t independently verify every detail. An entry records a community concern about a building. It doesn’t establish why the building is in that condition, who is responsible, or whether anyone has acted unlawfully.
When things change
We review entries at least once a year.
If a building comes back into use, we’ll update the entry, and we may keep it on the map as a success story.
If an owner tells us work is underway, we’ll note it on the entry and check again later. If an owner responds to an entry, we’ll add their response to it.
If a building no longer meets the tests, we’ll update the entry or remove it.
If something is wrong, please tell us (see below).
Please stay safe and within the law
CADO does not encourage anyone to enter, occupy or damage a building. Please don’t, and we won’t publish submissions that suggest it. Take photos only from a public place or somewhere you’re allowed to be.
If you own a building, or something is wrong
If you own or are connected with a building on the map, think an entry is inaccurate or unfair, or have new information, use “Suggest an update” on the entry or email cado@kinship.works.
We’ll look at any significant concern as soon as possible, and within five working days, and may hide the entry while we check.
Draft for review. Last updated: 16 October 2026.