The BBC has run an article on the problem of empty homes, claiming ‘If all empty homes were brought back into use, the housing crisis would be solved at a stroke and, arguably, the government would not have to build 1.5m new homes.’

The article can be read here, and follows the story of Claudia Bowring, an empty homes officer in Nottingham’s suburbs, highlights the challenges of addressing the UK’s housing crisis by reviving long-vacant homes. While there are nearly 700,000 empty homes in England, 261,471 of which are long-term vacant, bringing these properties back into use is far from straightforward. Often, the ownership of these homes is murky, and emotional or legal barriers—such as probate—make it hard for families to sell or rent them.

Local councils, like Rushcliffe, where Bowring works, can employ tools such as extra council taxes and enforcement measures to nudge homeowners into action. They can even take over properties using Empty Dwelling Management Orders to carry out repairs and rent out the homes, aiming to recover their costs. However, councils face budget constraints, and not all prioritize this issue, despite the significant potential to ease housing shortages.

Housing advocates like Adam Cliff and groups like Shelter argue for a national focus and reforms in probate law, as well as government-backed funding for councils to bring these homes back into use. However, the government’s current focus remains on building new homes, with little attention given to the underutilized empty homes as part of the housing solution.