MPs and campaigners call on government to do more on empty homes

Parliamentarians have joined forces with housing campaigners to write to the government calling on it to do more to bring empty homes back into use.

The group, which includes MPs, peers, the Empty Homes Network and Action on Empty Homes, highlighted the 265,000 homes in England that have been vacant for more than six months at a time when 123,000 families are living in council-funded temporary accommodation.

Liverpool Wavertree MP Paula Barker said: “It is not right that so many properties are sitting empty when so many families are in desperate need of a home.

“We are urging the government to drive action on empty homes as part of its long-term housing plans. This will enable more households to be supported into a secure home sooner.”

The group’s suggestions include introducing a national empty homes strategy, establishing a statutory duty on councils to undertake empty homes work, and change Empty Homes Dwelling Management Orders so that councils can implement them after six months rather than the current two years. It is also calling for probate reforms to end the situation which allows some properties to be exempted from the Empty Homes Premium (an additional tax councils can charge on empty properties).

Responding to the group a Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “We want to encourage empty homes back into use and to empower local leaders to reinvest in their communities.

“Local councils already have many powers and strong incentives to tackle empty homes. Through the New Homes Bonus, they receive the same level of reward for bringing an empty home back into use as building a new one.”

Scotland and Wales already have empty homes action plans, while the non-profit Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, funded by the Scottish Government, helped to return 1,875 long-term empty properties to use in 2023-24.