Almost 1,000 empty homes in Brighton and Hove, says council.

According to official estimates, nearly 1,000 properties in Brighton and Hove have remained uninhabited for more than a year.

Brighton and Hove City Council stated, “Work is continuing to bring empty privately owned homes in the city back into use.” “In 2024-25, the council assisted in bringing 145 vacant private sector residences back into use.

“With high demand for housing in the city and a shortage of accommodation, we’re encouraging residents to tell us if a property you live near has become empty or derelict.”

The council declared today (October 8th) as World Vacant Homes Day, a new international movement to promote awareness and urge action to repurpose long-term vacant residential homes.

According to the council, 968 properties in Brighton and Hove have been uninhabited for over a year, making them long-term empty. “This excludes second houses and those in the probate process.

The council’s empty properties division provides advice and support to owners who leave their properties empty for personal or complex reasons, assisting them in returning them to use.

“Increased council tax premiums on vacant properties are also helping to dissuade homeowners from leaving their homes uninhabited.

The team addresses complaints raised by neighbours, such as overgrown gardens or anti-social behaviour on vacant properties.

As a last resort, the council may take enforcement action to repurpose a vacant property if it is negatively impacting surrounding properties or the community as a whole. “A 100% council tax premium is now applied to unfurnished properties that have been left empty for a year.”

Starting April 2024, unfurnished unoccupied residences will be subject to double council tax after a year.

“This climbs to three times the council tax liability after five years, and four times for houses that have been vacant for ten years.

“If a property is empty and furnished, a second home or a furnished let, changes introduced by the council in April this year mean an extra council tax charge of 100 per cent is payable from the day on which it becomes empty.”

According to Labour councillor Gill Williams, the council’s cabinet member for housing, restoring even a proportion of empty properties to use can significantly impact Brighton and Hove’s housing shortage.

“Bringing homes back into use can change people’s lives by giving them a place to call home and helping to reshape communities by preventing structures from falling into disrepair or attracting anti-social activity.

“If you’re aware of a property in the city that has become empty or derelict, please do let us know.” Those who are leaving property in the city that will be demolished within the next 5 years can relocate into the right property for their household needs while work is done to demolish and rebuild, and place tenants back into the homes if they choose to return to the area.

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