Empty homes in Brighton and Hove brought back into use

Brighton and Hove City Council have revealed that 264 empty private sector homes across the city have been recovered through the work of the council’s Empty Properties and Council Tax teams.

Figures show that currently 968 private residential properties in Brighton and Hove have been empty for longer than 12 months and therefore classified as long-term vacant. These figures do not include second homes or those going through the probate process.

The council’s empty property team are working to combat this, working with property owners to urge them to consider their options to ensure homes are reoccupied.

In some cases, this can include offering individual support to find the most suitable way forward, however sometimes, as a last resort, enforcement powers are used.

Cllr Gill Williams, Cabinet member for Housing and New Homes

Part of this process may also be to ensure the owner deals with antisocial behaviour or overgrown and rubbish-filled gardens that are attracting rats or mice.

Councillor Gill Williams, Cabinet member for Housing and New Homes, said: “The steep rise of empty properties across the UK is a troubling phenomenon that’s difficult to understand, especially considering the general housing shortage.

“Transforming 264 abandoned properties into homes for our residents is no easy feat and we’re proud of our hardworking Empty Properties and Council Tax teams for this achievement.

“With the supply of housing in Brighton & Hove limited, we desperately need to make sure all empty properties are brought back into use. If you’re aware of a property in the city that has become empty or derelict, please do let us know.”

From April 1, 2025, if a property is empty and furnished, a second home, or a furnished let, an extra council tax charge of 100% is payable from the day on which it becomes empty.  

Council tax premiums are also applied to those properties that have been empty for the longer term.

If a property is empty and unfurnished, for example between tenancies, the owner will have to pay the full amount of council tax. 

As part of Empty Homes Week, which takes place from March 9 to March 15, the council is encouraging residents to tell them if a property you live near has become empty or derelict.