Steep rise in empty homes is 'a catastrophe'

The number of empty homes across the West Midlands has risen by more than a third in a year, leading to calls for councils to be given extra powers to tackle it.

The BBC submitted Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to 19 local authorities across the region, which revealed at least 16,000 properties had been empty for more than six months.

In Herefordshire, the number of empty homes has gone up 84%, the highest figure in the West Midlands. Ross-on-Wye town councillor Milly Boylan said: "It's a catastrophe in Herefordshire, and the buck stops with central government."

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing said the government was exploring what extra powers could be given to councils.

The FOI data compares the number of long-term empty homes between September 2024 and September 2025, and includes housing association properties, as well as those owned by landlords and private individuals.

In Herefordshire in 2025 there were 1,745 long-term empty homes, compared to 945 in 2024.

In the West Midlands over the same period the number has risen by 36% to 16,743.

"Many empty homes in Ross just need so much work because they've been empty for so long," Ms Boylan said.

"There's flats that have been empty for years - there's a house I know that's been empty for around a decade.

"It's just really sad. Some of these properties would have been nice houses in the past.

"As much as the council tries to encourage these landlords, we need to be asking what the government what they can do - that's where the buck stops."

Some of the biggest rises elsewhere in the region include in Worcester, Coventry, Sandwell, South Staffordshire and Malvern.

Councils in the West Midlands say the reasons why homes are empty vary - including the slow economy, delays in probate, and a shortage of tradespeople meaning voids on some social housing are now taking longer to fix.

Another factor cited is sentimental reasons, where someone dies and a home gets passed on to a family member reluctant to sell.

Some local authorities have told the BBC that many landlords are reluctant to invest in an empty home due to rising costs, making the problem worse.

Worcester City Council has approved a new policy that means the owners of homes that have been empty beyond 12 months will face paying double council tax from April.

Green councillor Karen Lewing said: "We really hope the policy makes a difference - the number of empty homes is a scandal."

Elsewhere, councils in Malvern and Wychavon said they were planning to offer "financial incentives" to the owners of some long-term empty properties from the spring.

The government said all councils across England now had greater powers than ever before to deal with empty homes, including the ability to levy higher council tax the longer a property has remained unoccupied.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing said: "We know that having too many empty homes in an area can have a significant impact on local communities.

"That's why we have given councils stronger powers to increase council tax on long term empty homes, and are considering further action."

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