ABOUT 200 council flats and maisonettes are standing empty throughout the Dudley borough, despite a waiting list for homes, it emerged today.

Cash-strapped Dudley Council is desperately looking for tenants to rent the properties to help ease pressures on the purse strings.

A council spokeswoman said the unwanted homes were mainly flats, often on the upper floors of high rise blocks.

But they all have to reach the “decent homes” standard in order to be let by the council’s housing services.

Hard-to-let properties is a perennial problem for the council as picky would-be tenants turn down setting up home in less popular properties and areas.

Unfurnished flats and maisonettes are available in Dudley, Stourbridge, Brierley Hill, Halesowen and Sedgley, with rental from £69 per week.

As part of the council’s push to let the properties, they can now be viewed online, where availability is updated daily.

Councillor Gaye Partridge, cabinet member for housing, said: “This is an ideal opportunity for anyone who wants to rent an affordable home. Our rental rate includes repairs, maintenance and service charges, making budgeting for the monthly amount easier for our tenants.

“Renting from us provides an economical alternative to privately rented accommodation and home ownership. When taking up a tenancy customers are not required to provide a deposit or pay administration costs. Anyone interested should get in touch with us.”

People from outside the borough can apply to rent one of the properties and applicants must meet the council’s criteria. Lettings are subject to references and checks.

The properties can be viewed at www.dudleyathome.org.uk