Across the UK, thousands of homes remain vacant for years at a time. In some cases they are tied up in probate, ownership disputes, renovation delays or complicated financial situations. In others, they simply fall into a position where no one quite knows how to move the situation forward.
Understanding why empty homes matter in the UK helps explain why bringing these properties back into use is not just a housing issue, but a social and economic one as well.
To date, we have paid out over £1 million in spotter rewards to members of the public across the UK for bringing properties to our attention. Together we are making a real difference. But there are still many empty properties out there, which is why spotters play such an important role.
Next time you are out walking the dog or driving through your neighbourhood, keep an eye out for properties that appear vacant. If the property meets our criteria, you will receive a £20 voucher for submitting it, and if we go on to purchase the property you could earn up to £10,000.
The Scale of Empty Homes in the UK
Recent housing data shows that there are now over 300,000 long-term empty homes in England.
These are properties that have been vacant for more than six months, and in many cases significantly longer.
To put that into context, these homes sit empty at a time when housing demand continues to grow across much of the country.
At the same time:
- More than one million households remain on social housing waiting lists
- Councils spend billions each year on temporary accommodation
- Many local areas struggle to find housing for key workers and families
When you step back and look at the bigger picture, the contrast is striking. Large numbers of people are actively searching for housing while thousands of existing homes remain unused.
This mismatch is one of the reasons empty homes are increasingly being discussed in housing policy and local government circles.
The Impact on Communities
The impact of an empty property is rarely limited to the building itself. When a home sits vacant for a long period of time, it can begin to affect the surrounding area in small but noticeable ways. Gardens become overgrown, maintenance stops and the property slowly begins to look neglected.
Over time this can:
- Lower confidence in the street or neighbourhood
- Create opportunities for vandalism or anti-social behaviour
- Affect how neighbouring homes are perceived or valued
In many communities, a single long-term empty property can change the feel of an entire street.
Residents often report frustration when they see a house deteriorating year after year while families nearby struggle to find housing.
This is one of the reasons local authorities are increasingly paying closer attention to long-term vacant homes.
Why Enforcement Alone Doesn’t Solve the Problem
Local authorities do have enforcement tools available to address empty homes. These can include council tax premiums, improvement notices and in some cases compulsory purchase powers.
However, in practice the situation is often more complicated than it first appears.
Many long-term empty homes are tied up in issues such as:
- probate or inheritance disputes
- absent or unresponsive owners
- complex ownership structures
- financial difficulties or stalled renovations
Because of this, simply applying enforcement measures does not always lead to a quick resolution.
Each property often has its own story and its own set of challenges, which is why bringing empty homes back into use frequently requires a practical, case-by-case approach.
Helping Owners Move Forward
In many cases the biggest barrier is not willingness but knowing how to move forward.
Property owners can find themselves stuck between legal processes, renovation costs or uncertainty about what their options are.
Over time, what started as a temporary situation can quietly turn into a property sitting empty for years. This is where practical support can make a real difference.
By helping owners understand their options and take the next step, empty properties can be brought back into use, removing the burden from the owner and returning the home to something it was always meant to be a place where someone lives.
Report an Empty Property
If there is a house near you that looks like it may have been empty for some time, you can report it by ‘clicking here’
Submitting a report only takes a few minutes.
If the property meets our reporting criteria, you will receive a £20 voucher as a thank you. If we go on to purchase the property, you will receive 1% of the purchase price upon completion, up to a maximum of £10,000.
Spot it. Send it. Spend it.