The housing crisis in the UK has long been a topic of concern, with more people than ever struggling to find affordable, suitable homes. However, there’s a somewhat hidden aspect to this crisis that is just as pressing: the issue of empty homes. Across the UK, hundreds of thousands of homes sit vacant – properties that, if revitalised and brought back into use, could offer a partial solution to the housing shortage.

Empty Homes: A Growing Problem

Numbers of long-term empty homes rose yet again in 2023 by 12,556 (or 5%) to 261,189. Long-term empties are now at their highest level since 2011 (excepting 2020’s pandemic-related data).

NB: To be classed as ‘long-term empty’ a home must be liable for council tax and to have been unfurnished and not lived in for over 6 months. This figure is increasing all the time, but as of October 2023, it was 261,189.

These homes are spread across cities and rural areas alike, often falling into disrepair and causing blight in their communities. The issue is multifaceted and can stem from a variety of causes, including unresolved inheritance matters, properties held as investments, or owners lacking the funds to renovate or sell.

The societal impact of this many vacant homes is significant. With so many families on social housing waiting lists, each empty home represents a missed opportunity for housing. Further, vacant properties can have a ripple effect, lowering the value of neighbouring properties and inviting issues like vandalism, squatters, and even illegal activities. In cities where affordable housing is in critically short supply, the wasted potential of these empty homes feels even more acute.

Why Do Homes Remain Empty?

Homes can remain empty for various reasons, some of which are preventable while others are harder to address without specific interventions:

  • Inheritance Complexities: Properties left in wills may remain vacant if there are disputes among heirs or difficulties in locating rightful beneficiaries.
  • Financial Constraints: Some owners may not have the resources to repair or maintain the property, leading to gradual deterioration.
  • Market Conditions: In areas where property values are low or in decline, it may be less financially viable for owners to sell or renovate homes, leaving them to stand empty.
  • Investment Properties: Some properties are left unoccupied as investments, with owners waiting for the right market conditions to sell. Unfortunately, this practice can exacerbate the housing shortage.

Given the range of contributing factors, a multi-layered approach is needed to tackle the empty homes issue effectively.

The Role of Empty Homes Services

This is where dedicated services like Finders International’s Empty Homes Service come in. We work closely with local councils, housing associations, and private individuals to identify empty properties, trace heirs, and, when necessary, act as intermediaries to bring homes back into productive use. Our services include tracing missing beneficiaries, managing complex probate issues, and negotiating property sales to ensure that empty homes are either occupied or sold to new owners who will restore and use them.

Our Empty Homes service is designed to address the legal and administrative hurdles that can keep properties vacant, transforming potential housing backlogs into usable homes for people in need.

The Benefits of Bringing an Empty Home Back Into Use

Revitalising empty homes doesn’t just benefit those seeking housing. It can positively impact communities and the broader economy:

  • Increases Housing Supply: Every home brought back into use helps to ease the demand for housing, which, in turn, can reduce homelessness and the strain on social housing.
  • Boosts Local Economies: Renovating a vacant property often means hiring local contractors, purchasing materials, and revitalising neighbourhoods, all of which contribute to the local economy.
  • Reduces Crime and Vandalism: Empty properties can be magnets for crime. Occupied homes mean less chance of vandalism, squatting, and associated criminal activities, making neighbourhoods safer.
  • Enhances Property Values: Empty homes in a neighbourhood can lower the market value of surrounding properties. Bringing homes back into use can reverse this effect, improving the overall value of properties in the area.
  • Revitalising Communities: Empty homes are often a visible symbol of decay in communities and bringing them back to life can restore pride in local areas, fostering a greater sense of community and belonging.

As we work towards solutions to the UK’s housing shortage, empty homes must be part of the conversation. By transforming these unused properties, we can make strides towards a future where more people have access to secure, affordable housing while also boosting communities and local economies nationally.