Despite the current high demand for rented accommodation from buy to let landlords, there were still 279,281 empty private homes in England in April 2007, although this is nine percent lower than the 308,438 recorded in April 2003.
Empty homes account for three percent or more of all homes in 17 local authorities (LAs). These areas have a proportion of empty homes that is at least double the average for England as a whole (1.5 percent).
All 17 LAs with a high proportion of empty private homes are outside Southern England with the majority - nine - in the North West.
The North West has the highest number of empty homes, at 61,450, accounting for 22 percent of all the empty homes in England.
The average house price in all 17 of the LAs with the highest proportion of empty homes is below the respective regional average.
Fifteen out of the 17 LAs where empty private homes account for 3 percent or more of all homes are amongst the 20 percent most deprived areas in England.
Eleven of the 17 of LAs with the highest proportion of empty private homes have an unemployment rate at, or above, the national average.
There are 85,695 vacant public dwellings in England, accounting for 1.4 percent of the public dwelling stock. Eight LAs have more than 5 percent of their public dwelling stock vacant, seven of which are in the north of England.
Martin Ellis, chief economist at Halifax, commented: “It is highly encouraging that the number of private empty homes in England has declined by nearly a tenth over the past four years.
“Nonetheless, it is concerning that the existence of empty homes remains a significant problem in a number of areas, particularly in the North of England. In some cases, the proportion of empty homes is more than double the national average.
“We would like the government to extend the 5 percent rate of VAT for renovating an empty home to all properties vacant for more than six months not just those properties that have been un-occupied for more than two years.”
An Empty home is defined as a property that has been vacant for more than six months. Public vacant dwellings cover vacancies over all timeframes, including less than six months. It covers LA and RSL vacancies.
