Empty Homes Network

The Council Taxbase, reporting the annual statistical data on empty and unoccupied homes, has been released for 2024.

The annual release of council tax statistics charts the data of all local authorities across England and includes information on the number of chargeable dwellings, data on properties exempt from council tax as well as statistics on long term empty homes and those charged a level of premium.

Across four of five definitions used to track the numbers of empty homes, increases have been reported, with the only decrease in figures being that of unoccupied exempt properties.

Initial analysis of the statistics show the following:

Properties empty less than 6 months

As of November 2024, 230,006 properties have been reported as having been empty for a period of up to six months. Rising from 211,450 in 2023, this year’s figure shows the highest number reported over the past 5 years.

Properties empty over 6 months

Rising slightly from 269,395 in 2023, the number of empty homes recorded as empty for over six months now stands at 272,257. Not yet reaching the number seen in 2020 (278,470), this still represents a year on year increase since the figure seen in 2020.

Empty Homes Premium

Rising every year since its introduction, the number of empty homes now charged the empty homes premium stands at 119,606. Rising by just over 40,000, this number is likely to have increased due to the number of councils having adopted the changes in criteria for the empty homes premium.

Unoccupied Exemptions

Dropping slightly from the numbers reported in 2023, 217,207 properties are now reported to be empty due to qualifying for a relevant exemption. Down from 218,281 in 2023, the numbers are still significantly higher than those shown in 2020 which stood at 184,344.

Second Homes

With many local authorities now including second homes as part of their empty home attention, by council tax definition, 279,870 properties are now reported as second homes. Up from 263,318 in 2023, the number contuse to rise from its lowest point of the past five years, at 253,357 in 2021.

Local Authority Level Data

Local Authority level data can be found by downloading the Council Taxbase 2024 through the link below, where statistics can also be found on previous years in order to track data and statistics relevant to your local areas.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/council-taxbase-statistics

In previous years, Council Taxbase data has often been updated or amended over the course of the months that follow, and we will of course endeavour to report figures as accurately as possible.