How many empty homes are there in England?

June 30, 2022

The total number of empty dwellings as at 13 September 2021 was 468,000 – a decrease of 11,000 or 2.4% on the previous year as quoted on the official government website: Local Authority Council Tax base England 2021

Long term empty homes are dwellings which are unoccupied for a period of 6 months or more and substantially unfurnished.

In amongst this subject are second homes which account for 243,134 in 2021. Thanks to the likes of hard work or inheritance, a few people enjoy a second home in the UK. Sometimes this can be a rural retreat to get anyway from urban life woes, maybe it is a tiny cottage by the sea so to unwind or maybe it is reversed with the second home the likes of an apartment in the city. This excludes those owning a second home as a rental property.

In London, the number of empty homes rose from 30,548 to 32,818 between 2020 and 2021. The areas with the most empty homes were Southwark (2,705) and Newham (2,246). source MSN

Empty property do not go unnoticed. Be it by the neighbours lodging complaints to local authorities when maintenance becomes an issue to hungry property buyers looking to bag a bargain, empty homes do attract attention. Not all empty homes are evident and rarely will they be left to fall in to total disrepair.

Dream home sat empty for decades – On the western shore of Hollingworth Lake, Rochdale, sits a bungalow that has never been lived in. source manchestereveningnews

If you have a keen eye for spotting empty homes or are close to the local gossip then there are websites where you can share the addresses with to get not only a gift vouchers, but up to £10,000 if the property gets purchased from your information – Check out You Spot Property.

How to spot a long term empty / abandoned property:

  • Overgrown / untidy gardens.
  • Boarded up windows / doors.
  • Missing tiles / broken & blocked guttering / drains.
  • Mounting post.
  • Empty rooms.
  • No lights on during evenings.
  • No vehicles outside for prolonged period.

Action on Empty Homes is calling on Westminster leaders to launch a national empty homes strategy, saying £200 million is needed to support local authorities to bring long-term unused houses in England back into use. source bigissue

 

Christopher Walkey

Founder of Estate Agent Networking. Internationally invited speaker on how to build online target audiences using Social Media. Writes about UK property prices, housing, politics and affordable homes.

You May Also Enjoy

Marketing

How to Grow your Estate Agency Online

Believe it or not, many younger professionals now working in estate agency were born into the world of both the internet and social media… Those buying, selling and renting will also likely to have arrived in the era of the internet and some will have grown up with Youtube, Instagram and Facebook. Those born between…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

Study reveals the top ten renovation projects Brits are planning this spring 

Kitchens are the most searched-for home renovation in the UK, with an average of 19,926 monthly queries. Bathrooms rank second, with 13,459 average monthly searches. Conservatories and sunrooms round out the top 10 most-searched home improvements ahead of spring.   As spring approaches, Brits everywhere start rejoicing. Flowers start blooming, temperatures get warmer, and the…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

Attracting the Right Buyers: Digital Strategies for Real Estate Agencies

Okay, let’s talk approximately how real property companies have promoted houses in recent times. It’s not as adored as it used to be! They cannot just place up a signal and expect human beings to be exposed. We stay in a virtual world, and that means they want to use smart online strategies to locate…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

5 Reasons to Invest in an Airbnb on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is one of the UK’s most beloved holiday destinations, offering stunning coastal views, historic sites, and a relaxed island lifestyle. With the rise of staycations and the increasing popularity of short-term rentals, investing in an Airbnb on the Isle of Wight presents a lucrative opportunity. Whether you’re a seasoned property investor…
Read More →
Love or Hate Rightmove
Breaking News

25,000 first-time buyers set to miss stamp duty deadline and complete in April

Over 25,000 first-time buyers in England who are currently going through the process of legally completing on a property purchase are predicted to miss the stamp duty deadline on March 31st, and complete in April Nearly 74,000 movers in England in total are set to miss the deadline and complete in April, with a collective…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

How Property Part Exchange Works: A Step-by-Step Guide

When it comes to selling your home and buying a new one, the process can often be complex, stressful, and time-consuming. However, property part exchange offers a convenient solution for homeowners looking to move without the hassle of a traditional sale. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how property part exchange works and why…
Read More →