Empty Homes in Andover, Hampshire and the UK: Figures, Pros, Cons and Solutions (2026)

Empty homes sit at the centre of a strange contradiction: the UK has a housing shortage, yet hundreds of thousands of homes stand unused. This guide sets out the latest available figures for Andover, Hampshire, the South East, England and the UK, explains the advantages and disadvantages of empty property, and gives practical steps for buyers, sellers, communities and policymakers.

Note on figures: Numbers below are rounded and drawn from government council-tax statistics (DLUHC/MHCLG "Live tables on dwelling stock", table 615) and Action on Empty Homes analysis. They change every year, and local figures can differ by date and definition. Always check the latest official release before relying on them.

How many empty homes are there?

| Area | Long-term empty homes (empty 6+ months, approx.) | Notes | |---|---|---| | Andover / Test Valley | Several hundred (roughly 400–600 across Test Valley) | Test Valley Borough Council publishes its own council-tax data | | Hampshire (county area) | Approximately 5,000–6,000 | Spread across 11 district councils | | South East England | Approximately 30,000+ | Lower rate than the North, but high absolute numbers | | England | About 260,000–270,000 long-term empty; around 700,000 total empty | Highest level for over a decade | | United Kingdom | Estimated 700,000–1,000,000 total empty homes | Scotland, Wales and NI measure differently |

"Long-term empty" usually means unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for six months or more. Total empty figures also include homes between tenants, awaiting sale or probate.

Why do homes become empty?

• Probate and inheritance delays
• Disrepair — the cost of renovation exceeds what the owner can fund
• Owners abroad, in care or unwell
• Disputes between co-owners or families
• Leasehold or title problems that block sale or mortgage
• Speculation or land-banking (less common than often assumed)

Advantages of empty property

For buyers and investors

• Often priced below comparable occupied homes
• Opportunity to add value through refurbishment
• Can qualify for reduced VAT (5%) on renovation of homes empty for 2+ years, subject to HMRC conditions
• Less competition for properties needing work

For sellers

• A fast route to releasing trapped capital
• Avoiding rising council tax premiums

For communities

• Bringing a home back into use adds housing without building on green fields
• Restored homes improve street appearance and confidence

Disadvantages and risks

For buyers

• Hidden structural issues, damp, or outdated electrics
• Some lenders will not lend on uninhabitable property — you may need bridging or cash
• Refurbishment costs and timescales frequently overrun

For owners

• Council tax premiums: in England councils can charge up to 100% extra after one year empty (from April 2024), rising further for longer periods
• Insurance can be harder to obtain or invalidated after 30–60 days vacant
• Risk of vandalism, squatting and deterioration

For communities

• Empty homes can attract anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and pests
• They reduce housing supply while families wait on council lists

Practical solutions

For buyers

1. Ask your local council's empty homes officer whether they hold lists or run matching schemes.
2. Get a full building survey, not just a valuation.
3. Budget a 15–20% contingency on refurbishment.
4. Check VAT relief and any local empty-homes grants or loans before starting.
5. Line up suitable finance (cash, bridging or refurbishment lending) in advance.

For sellers and owners

1. Get a realistic valuation "as is" — the longer it sits, the more it costs.
2. Consider sale to an investor, auction, or leasing to a council or housing association scheme.
3. Use professional property management to let it if you wish to keep it.
4. Talk to the council: some offer loans or support in exchange for letting at affordable rents.

For communities

• Report long-term empty homes to the council's empty homes team.
• Support community-led housing groups that renovate empty buildings.

For the nation

• Consistent funding for empty homes programmes
• Faster probate and simpler routes to compulsory purchase or Empty Dwelling Management Orders where owners do not engage
• Targeted VAT and finance incentives for renovation

How Vestos Property can help

If you own an empty property in Andover, Hampshire or the South East, our sister company TP Property Services can advise on sale, refurbishment or letting. If you are an investor looking for refurbishment opportunities, you can request a sourcing search or browse current deals.

This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Figures are approximate and should be verified against current official statistics. Proinvestos Ltd, trading as Vestos Property, is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Property investment carries risk and values can fall.