Number of empty homes rises above 300,000

The number of long-term empty private homes (i.e. homes that have been vacant for more than six months) exceeded 300,000 in 2008 for the first time in five years, according to the latest annual Halifax Empty Homes survey.

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 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 CLG figures.

There is 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%).

Levels of deprivation are typically higher in areas with a large proportion of empty private homes. Fifteen of the 20 local authorities with the highest proportions of long-term empty private homes are among the 25% in England with the highest levels of deprivation.

Areas with relatively high levels of long-term empty private homes have lower than average earnings. Eighteen of the 20 local authorities where 3% or more of all private homes have been empty for at least six months have levels of average earnings that are below the national average. The levels of earnings in these locations are, on average, 24% below the national average. Additionally, six of the 10 local authorities with the highest proportion of long-term empty private homes have an unemployment rate that is above the national average.

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."