England faces a housing paradox: nearly 720,000 homes sit empty while homelessness rises and house prices soar beyond reach for many. Around 265,000 of these properties have been vacant for over six months, creating what the government calls “long-term empty.”
It doesn’t stop the deputy Prime Minister from needing three homes, so with such an example from politicians in power, is there any hope for a reduction in homelessness?
This represents a massive missed opportunity. The government wants to build 1.5 million new homes, yet hundreds of thousands already exist but remain unused.
When solutions worked
Between 2010-2016, targeted government action dramatically reduced empty properties. Two key programmes made a big difference:
- Empty Homes Programme: Provided grants to owners for renovations
- New Homes Bonus: Rewarded councils for bringing properties back into use
The results were impressive: overall empty homes dropped 20% and long-term vacant properties fell 33%. But in 2016, the government ended these schemes and reduced funding, leaving the issue to individual councils.
Since then, empty homes have climbed back up 22%, with long-term vacant properties rising 32%.
Why homes stay empty
The reasons properties remain vacant are complex and varied:
- Probate delays: Legal processes after someone dies can take years, during which houses cannot be sold.
- Unknown owners: Councils often struggle to track down property owners to offer assistance.
- Owner reluctance: Some people simply aren’t ready to sell or renovate, regardless of incentives offered.
- Lack of awareness: Many owners don’t know help is available.
What councils are doing
Local authorities have tried different approaches with mixed success.
Financial incentives are available from 77 councils offering grants or loans, but uptake remains low. One London borough awarded just 22 grants over five years despite having over 2,000 empty homes.
Many councils now charge double rates for houses not in permanent occupation – usually holiday homes. Most councils charge up to 300% standard rates on long-term empty properties, but this can discourage engagement and may actually incentivise councils to keep properties empty for the extra revenue.
Kent’s “No Use Empty” scheme offers interest-free loans for up to three years. Starting with a fund of £5 million, it’s now self-sustaining and has issued nearly 200 loans in five years.
The human impact
Empty properties don’t just represent wasted housing stock—they damage communities. Vacant homes can become magnets for crime and antisocial behavior, making neighbors feel unsafe and potentially reducing local property values.
Meanwhile, over 354,000 people experience homelessness in England, and 1.33 million households wait for social housing. House prices have exceeded five times local earnings nationally since 2002, pricing out many potential buyers.
Expert solutions
Several factors prevent more effective action:
- Data gaps: Councils lack comprehensive information about why properties are empty or who owns them. Available data covers only 13% of long-term vacant stock.
- No central strategy: Without government coordination, approaches vary wildly between areas.
- Resource constraints: Legal action against owners is possible but risky, expensive, and time-consuming.
Housing specialists suggest improvements including:
- Government action: Establish a legal requirement for councils to address empty homes, with proper funding and support.
- Better data: Create systems to track property ownership and reasons for vacancy.
- Targeted approaches: Recognise that different empty homes need different solutions—grants work for some, advice for others.
- Streamlined processes: Speed up probate procedures to prevent unnecessary delays.
Looking forward
The current government has promised to give councils more power over landlords and empty properties, but hasn’t committed to a comprehensive national strategy.
Some argue the solution lies in combining approaches: using premium tax revenue to fund loan schemes, providing better support for owners, and creating legal duties for councils to act.
The irony remains stark: in a country desperately short of affordable housing, hundreds of thousands of homes sit empty. Solving this puzzle could provide a significant chunk of the housing the nation needs—if the political will and practical solutions can be aligned.
The challenge isn’t just about buildings; it’s about creating liveable communities where homes serve their fundamental purpose: providing people with secure, affordable places in which to live.