Number of empty homes rising

The number of private homes in England that have been empty long-term has risen above 300,000, according to the latest annual Halifax Empty Homes survey.

Looking at private homes that have been vacant for more than six months, the report shows that the number exceeded 300,000 in 2008 for the first time in five years.

There were 303,285 long-term empty private homes in England in April 2008, a rise of 9% from 279,281 in April 2007. The number of long-term empty private homes is now at its highest since April 2003 (308,438), accounting for 1.6% of all privately owned properties. The total number of empty private homes in England (i.e. including homes that have been vacant for less than six months) stood at 613,270 in April 2008, according to figures from the the Communities and Local Government department.

Suren Thiru, economist at Halifax, commented:

“It is concerning that there are over 300,000 private homes in England that have been empty for more than six months and that the number has increased recently following several years of decline. In many cases, high levels of long-term empty homes reflect relatively high levels of deprivation, low average earnings and high unemployment.”

The report also reveals a clear north/south divide. The North West has the highest number of long-term empty private homes (66,691), accounting for 22% of the total across England. The North West also has the highest number of long-term empty homes as a proportion of all private homes (2.6%) followed by Yorkshire and the Humber (2.2%) and the North East (2.1%). London, the South East and the South West have the lowest proportions of long-term empty private homes (all 1.1%).

(Photo by Peter Curbishley.)