The number of long-term vacant homes in England rose sharply last year despite continued growth in overall housing stock, according to new figures released by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.
Latest dwelling stock estimates show there were 25.8 million dwellings in England as of 31 March 2025, an increase of 208,600 homes, or 0.81%, compared to the previous year.
However, vacant property numbers also climbed. There were 754,264 vacant dwellings recorded in England on 6 October 2025, up 4.8% from 719,470 a year earlier.
More significantly, the number of long-term vacant dwellings increased by 14.5%, rising from 264,884 to 303,185 properties. Long-term vacant homes now account for around 1.2% of England’s total housing stock.
HOUSING SHORTAGES
Owner-occupied homes continued to dominate the market, increasing by 131,000 to 16.6 million dwellings. The private rented sector grew by 54,000 homes to five million, while social and affordable rented housing increased by 25,000 to 4.2 million homes.
The figures highlight the growing focus on bringing existing empty homes back into use amid continued housing shortages and affordability pressures across England.
CONCERNING
Raymond Connor (main picture, inset), Chief Executive Officer of BuildLoan, says: “The rising number of vacant, and especially long-term vacant, properties in England is concerning, given the scale of the country’s housing challenge.
“But it is also indicative of the opportunity that exists within England’s existing housing stock, if it can be tapped into.
“The majority of the 303,185 long-term vacant properties, which make up 1.2% of England’s total housing stock, are likely standing empty because they require refurbishment before they can be considered suitable for occupation and accepted for a standard mortgage product.”
