The North West has the highest number of empty homes in the country according to NHF

A new report from the National Housing Federation published yesterday 19th March 2018 reveals that one fifth of  empty homes in England,  just under 40,000 homes, are in the North West.

The North West has the highest number of empty homes in the country and has the same number of empty homes as the North East and Yorkshire and Humber combined. The new statistics come from the North West Home Truths 2017/18 report, which publishes annual data on the region’s housing trends.

Ciaran Tully, the National Housing Federation’s External Affairs Manager for the North West, said:

It can’t be right to leave property empty when so many are desperate for a place to live. Empty properties in some areas are having a profound impact on local markets and those who need housing.

“What we need is a genuine commitment to ensuring good quality affordable housing is available at the right price, in the right places and for the right people.

“Building homes not only creates jobs, but also supports jobs in housing associations once they are built and adds money to the local economy from residents’ spending.

“Housing associations are doing just this but we now need the backing of key local partners to help us build in the right places, free up planning and help us to deliver the types of affordable housing needed most.

“With this support we can not only ramp up supply, but also begin vital regeneration projects, enhance infrastructure and bring empty homes back into use.”

Read the NHF report ‘One Fifth of England’s empty homes in North West’ in full click here.

The North East has seen a rise of around 500 empty homes since 2013, a 3% increase reveals NHF.

According to Home Truths, the North East doesn’t have a housing shortage like other areas of the country but instead much of the housing stock that does exist isn’t suitable and therefore ends up abandoned or empty. It might be in need of renovation, or located in areas of economic decline, lacking in transport links or with few jobs.

Monica Burns, the National Housing Federation’s External Affairs Manager for the North East, said:

It can’t be right to leave property empty when so many are desperate for a place to live. Empty properties in some areas are having a profound impact on local markets and those who need housing.

“Building homes not only creates jobs, but also supports jobs in housing associations once they are built and adds money to the local economy from residents’ spending.

“We now need the backing of key local partners to help us build in the right places, free up land and help us deliver the types of affordable housing needed most. With this support we can not only ramp up supply, but also begin vital regeneration projects, enhance infrastructure and bring empty homes back into use.”

Read the NHF report ‘Empty homes on the rise again in the North East’ in full click here.

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

small house bird box
Estate Agent Talk

Families can move up the property ladder by paying 1% more in this city

Families in Suffolk can take a significant step up the property ladder with minimal financial stretch, as the team at Suffolk Pocket Door Company reveal that upgrading from a terraced house to a semi-detached home in West Suffolk costs just 1% more on average. Here Carl Benson, owner of Suffolk Pocket Door Company comments. Why…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 20/02/25

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X. Roome celebrates four years of helping students and growing universities’ revenue James Buck, co-founder of Roome sums up the 48-month journey so far, ‘Four years ago, we launched an app Owen Redman and I wished we had at university – a tool to make shared living not…
Read More
Overseas Property

How to Find an Experienced Wedding Photographer in Greece

Choosing the Right Photographer Your wedding day is one of the most important moments of your life, and capturing it perfectly requires an experienced photographer. Greece offers stunning locations, from whitewashed villages to breathtaking sunsets. But how do you find the right professional to document your big day? Research and Recommendations Start by researching online.…
Read More
Breaking News

Tenants Struggle as Shortage of Rental Housing Continues

Private sector tenants are continuing to struggle as new data highlights an ongoing shortage of homes to rent. Almost eight in ten landlords (77 per cent) across England and Wales reported strong demand from prospective tenants in the final quarter of 2024 according to research from Pegasus Insights. The data, compiled for the National Residential…
Read More
Breaking News

New Platform Will Make Tackling Criminal Landlords Easier

Private sector tenants will find it easier to hold criminal landlords to account thanks to a new online platform being launched in Parliament today. The ‘My Housing Issue’ Gateway, designed by the TDS Charitable Foundation, will ensure tenants know where to take complaints related to rented housing. Research by the Foundation has found that 50…
Read More
Breaking News

Continued growth recorded in auctioneering sector – Propertymark Auction Barometer

53% of members said that the number of lots exceeding their reserve price increased in Q4 2024 compared to the previous quarter. Only 12% reported a decrease. The highest percentage of those surveyed (41%) said that the number of lots available (for all auction types) increased in Q4 2024 in comparison to Q3. Members reported…
Read More