The number of empty homes in England has dropped to the lowest level ever recorded, according to new figures published today.
The figures show the number of empty homes fell by 75,000 in 2013, reducing the total number to 635,127. The number of long-term empty homes also dropped by over 27,000 to a record low of 232,600.
Charity Empty Homes welcomed the news, saying the government’s empty homes grant was beginning to show results.
Chief executive of Empty Homes, David Ireland, said: ‘The huge drop in empty homes we have seen this year is down to a number of factors: The improving housing market has made it more viable to renovate some derelict houses.
‘The government’s empty homes grants programme is beginning to bear fruit, but the major factor is almost certainly the effect of changes to council tax charging. This has created strong incentives for owners to get their properties into use as soon as possible to avoid incurring extra council tax.’
The biggest reduction was in the North West and London, although the former still accounts for 21% of all empty homes in England. The vacancy rate in London dropped below 2% for the first time but the number of long-term empty homes remained unchanged.
The highest vacancy rates are all in Lancashire, with Burnley, Hyndburn and Blackburn having more than 6% of their housing stock sitting empty.
