The Empty Homes Network has today published its latest report, offering a comprehensive snapshot of housing underuse across Wales and reinforcing the urgent need to bring empty properties back into use.
The report reveals that while Wales’ housing stock continues to grow, reaching 1,433,015 dwellings in 2026, a significant proportion of homes remain unoccupied or under-used. More than 80,000 properties across the country are not used as primary residences, including empty homes, second homes, and properties exempt from council tax.
Rising Empty Homes and Persistent Long-Term Vacancy
In 2026, Wales recorded 38,058 empty homes, continuing a gradual upward trend seen in recent years. Of these, 23,033 properties have been empty for more than six months, meaning long-term empty homes account for the majority of vacancies.
This sustained level of long-term emptiness highlights a persistent challenge for housing policy. Every empty property represents a missed opportunity to provide a home for households facing housing pressure, particularly at a time of growing demand and affordability concerns.
Second Homes and Under-Use Remain Key Pressures
The report also identifies 24,814 second homes across Wales, reflecting ongoing pressures in areas with strong tourism and seasonal housing markets. Alongside this, 17,692 properties are classified as unoccupied exemptions, often linked to life events such as probate, major repairs, or moves into care.
Taken together, these figures mean that around 4.2% of Wales’ housing stock is not occupied as a primary residence, representing a substantial level of untapped housing capacity.
Growing Use of Council Tax Powers
A notable trend highlighted in the report is the increasing use of council tax measures to tackle empty homes. The number of properties subject to the Empty Homes Premium has nearly doubled, rising from 6,718 in 2022 to 12,357 in 2026.
This reflects a growing willingness among local authorities to use financial incentives and penalties to encourage property owners to bring homes back into use.
Regional Differences Across Wales
The report also underscores significant regional variation. Mid Wales records the highest proportion of under-used homes, reflecting its rural and tourism-driven housing market, while South East Wales contains the largest number of empty and under-used properties in absolute terms, due to its larger housing stock.
Meanwhile, areas such as North Wales and South West Wales continue to experience notable levels of long-term vacancy and second home ownership, particularly in coastal and rural communities.
Turning Insight into Action
The findings reinforce a clear message: tackling empty homes must remain a central priority in Wales’ housing strategy. While new housing development continues, making better use of existing homes offers a cost-effective and sustainable way to increase supply.
By providing robust national and local data, the report aims to support policymakers, local authorities, and housing practitioners in developing targeted interventions that reflect the different causes of housing vacancy—from structural issues and renovation delays to second home ownership and demographic change.
Ultimately, the report highlights that empty homes are not just statistics, they are potential homes. Bringing them back into use represents one of the most immediate opportunities to address housing need and strengthen communities across Wales.
Council Tax 2026: Wales’ Empty Homes Statistics can be found through the link below:
