England had 303,185 long-term vacant dwellings on 6 October 2025, according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. That was 14.5% higher than the October 2024 count of 264,884. The same statistical release puts total vacancies at 754,264, around 2.9% of the housing stock. Long-term vacancies accounted for about 1.2% of the stock.
Why the two vacancy totals differ
The figures are drawn from council tax records and capture the position on a particular date. The broader total includes homes between occupants and can include properties exempt from council tax. The long-term count gives a narrower picture of persistent vacancy. Even within that group, an empty home may need repairs, be tied up in an estate or be in an area where demand is weak. The figures describe occupancy at the snapshot date and give limited information about the condition or availability of individual properties.
How to compare councils
Start with the government’s live table 615, linked in the source below. It provides both total and long-term vacancy figures by local authority. Pick the same year and vacancy category for every council you compare. A larger council can have more empty homes simply because it has more dwellings, so put each count alongside the local housing stock. Dividing the count by the number of dwellings and multiplying by 100 gives a rate that is easier to compare.
Look at several years before treating a sharp change as a local trend. For small councils, a modest shift in the number of homes can produce a large percentage change. A council’s housing strategy or empty homes report can add local context about the types of properties involved and whether the council has a programme to bring them back into use.
If you own an empty property, ask your council how it classifies the home and what help, if any, it currently offers. If you are researching an area to buy in, use vacancy data alongside recent sales, local demand and the condition of the specific property.