Propertymark has issued a stark warning that more than 359,000 homes sitting empty across the UK represent a “wasted asset” at a time of acute housing shortage, calling for urgent, coordinated reform to bring them back into use.
In a comprehensive new position paper, the professional body for property agents said long-term vacant properties are exacerbating housing pressures while contributing to economic decline, social issues and environmental waste.
The report highlights that homes left empty for more than six months are not only failing to meet growing demand for housing but are also damaging communities by increasing the risk of anti-social behaviour, reducing neighbouring property values and creating ongoing maintenance and security concerns.
The findings come at a time when the UK continues to face a chronic shortage of housing, with demand far outstripping supply in many regions.
Propertymark argues that tackling empty homes should be seen as a key part of the solution, offering a faster and more sustainable way to increase available housing stock compared with new-build development alone.
“Leaving hundreds of thousands of homes unused is neither economically nor socially sustainable,” said Timothy Douglas, the organisation’s head of policy and campaigns.
The report assesses current approaches across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, identifying a fragmented policy landscape with varying degrees of effectiveness.
Existing measures include council tax premiums on empty properties under the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act in England, High Street Rental Auctions aimed at revitalising vacant commercial spaces, grant schemes in Wales to support refurbishment, and loan funding initiatives in Scotland.
While these policies are intended to discourage vacancy and encourage reuse, Propertymark warns that financial penalties alone can be counterproductive, deterring owners from investing in properties that may already require significant repair.
A key concern identified in the report is the lack of capacity within local authorities to address the issue effectively.
Freedom of Information data gathered from more than 200 councils shows that fewer than four in ten have a formal empty homes strategy in place, while only 41 per cent employ a dedicated empty homes officer. Just a quarter operate with a specific budget for tackling vacancy.
Propertymark says this lack of resources and strategic focus is a major barrier to progress, limiting the ability of councils to engage with property owners and deliver meaningful change.
The report points to successful initiatives that have taken a more collaborative and supportive approach.
In Scotland, the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership has helped return more than 43,000 properties to use since 2010 through coordinated local authority action and targeted advice for owners.
Similarly, Leeds City Council’s Empty Homes Doctor service has provided practical, tailored support to landlords, significantly reducing long-term vacancy levels in the city.
These examples, Propertymark argues, demonstrate that sustained engagement, professional guidance and local investment are more effective than punitive measures alone.
The organisation is calling for a series of targeted reforms designed to unlock empty housing stock and improve outcomes across the sector.
These include ringfenced funding for dedicated empty homes officers, greater collaboration with communities and third-sector organisations, and reforms to business rates to incentivise the reuse of commercial properties.
Propertymark is also urging the extension of grant schemes to support private landlords, alongside increased regeneration investment in areas with high concentrations of vacant homes.
In addition, it recommends changes to Empty Dwelling Management Orders to allow earlier intervention, while ensuring that qualified property professionals are involved in the process to speed up the return of properties to the market.
Beyond housing supply, the report highlights the wider benefits of bringing empty properties back into use, including revitalising high streets, supporting local economies and improving neighbourhood cohesion.
For landlords and property agents, reducing vacancy also means improved financial outcomes, with fewer lost rents and lower maintenance costs.
Propertymark, which represents around 19,000 members across 12,500 branches, is urging governments across the UK to adopt a balanced approach that combines practical support with proportionate enforcement.
The organisation argues that without coordinated action and adequate resources, the problem of empty homes will continue to grow, undermining efforts to address the housing crisis and strengthen communities.
As pressure mounts on housing supply, the report makes clear that unlocking existing stock could play a critical role, provided policymakers move beyond fragmented measures and commit to a more strategic, well-funded response.
