How many empty homes are there in England?

There were 542,000 homes recorded as empty for council tax purposes in England on 10 September 2025, up 8.0% on a year earlier, according to MHCLG's Council Taxbase 2025 in England. That excludes empty homes exempt from council tax, of which there were a further 212,000. Councils were charging the Empty Homes Premium on 153,000 homes, which can apply once a home has been empty for a year.

The empty total includes homes briefly vacant between tenants or sales, so homes empty for six months or more are the better measure of homes standing unused; that figure is in MHCLG's live tables on dwelling stock, by council. Year-to-year changes can reflect councils reviewing their records. Scotland and Wales publish their own figures.

Official sources: Council Taxbase 2025 in England · Live tables on dwelling stock (including vacants)

The latest figure

The newest value is at Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). More on it: Net additional homes in England.

When is the next figure out?

Annual each November for the previous April to March (2024-25 published 20 November 2025; 2025-26 provisionally due in November 2026). Quarterly 'indicators of new supply' cover starts, completions and an estimate of net additions from Energy Performance Certificates (latest 24 September 2026; next due December 2026 or January 2027)

Every official release due in the next two weeks is on the release calendar.

Terms used in this answer

• Net additional dwellings
  The annual increase in England's housing stock: new builds plus conversions and changes of use, minus demolitions.
• Financial year
  The UK government's accounting year, running from 1 April to 31 March. Written as 2025-26 or FYE March 2026. The tax year runs 6 April to 5 April.
• Seasonally adjusted
  Figures that have had regular calendar patterns removed, such as Christmas shopping or summer jobs, so that underlying movements between months or quarters can be seen.
• Provisional figures
  Early estimates published before all data are in, so users get timely figures. They are expected to be updated when later data arrive.
• Revisions
  Changes to previously published figures, made when more complete data, improved methods or updated seasonal factors become available. A normal part of official statistics.
• Outturn
  The actual recorded figure for a period that has ended, as opposed to a plan, budget or forecast for it.

Where the figures come from

• MHCLG housing and homelessness statistics (with MoJ possessions and devolved equivalents)
  Official figures on temporary accommodation, rough sleeping, waiting lists, social lettings, evictions and tenure in England and the rest of the UK.

Related questions

• How many second homes are there in England?
• How many homes are built each year in England?
• How many evictions and repossessions are there in England and Wales?

This answer says where the official figures are published and how they are defined. It gives no verdict on any claim. To report an error, send a correction request. More questions about homelessness, social housing and renting: all Homelessness, social housing and renting questions.