Empty Homes is not a new issue in Leeds, although recent attention has placed it in the media spotlight nationally. We have been tackling the issue for more than a decade.
- We have been responsible for 3,000 long-term empty homes (6mths+) returning into use each year for the past four years.
- This is the highest figure for any Local Authority in England and Wales,
- It is greater than the combined total for the rest of Yorkshire,
- It is more than the combined total for the remainder core cities group; made up from Birmingham; Bristol; Liverpool; Manchester Newcastle; Nottingham and Sheffield.
- It is the highest number of any Metropolitan Council in England.
Other facts
- More than 90% of empty homes in Leeds are in the private sector.
- We were the first authority to appoint an officer to deal with empty properties (also known as ‘voids’), and we have a team dedicated to reducing the number of empty homes in the city.
- We have always explored creative ways of dealing with empty homes and responding to changing circumstances.
- We have tried a number of ways to reduce empty homes in Leeds, and we are always open to try new methods.
- The number of empty homes in Leeds is 4.1%. This is lower than the figure for West Yorkshire (4.4%) and slightly higher than figure for the Yorkshire and Humberside Region (4%) and the average for metropolitan districts (3.9%)
- Empty properties for Social Housing (Council and Housing Associations) is less than 2% of all stock in the sector in Leeds.
- The number of long term empty homes as a proportion of the total number of empties in Leeds (29.5%). This is lower than the national and the regional average – both 38.7%.
For information on the current situation regarding empty properties throughout the city please click on the downloadable files opposite.
We welcome your comments. For more information or any enquiries relating to the Empty Homes Strategy please contact jon.hough@leeds.gov.uk