According to recent statistics, there are now officially more than 100,000 vacant homes in London. That is roughly the number of people living in a small to mid-sized UK city. Of these, almost 50% are long-term vacant, meaning they’ve been sitting empty and unfurnished for more than 6 months. According to official UK housing data, long-term empty homes have been rising and now number in the tens of thousands across major cities, contributing to local housing shortages, see UK Government empty homes statistics for more detail.
This blog looks at London’s empty property statistics for 2026.
Why Are There So Many Abandoned Properties in London?
London is becoming a metropolis of absentee landlords, from the West End’s ancient townhouses to the Docklands’ “buy-to-leave” investment complexes. Some reasons for these empty properties include:
Investments
For many international investors, a London flat serves as a safe deposit box with a view rather than a place to live. Without intending to deal with the hassle of tenants, they purchase the property to lock in their wealth in a stable currency and watch its value increase.
Second Home
Many Londoners relocated to the countryside after the epidemic, while maintaining a nest egg in the city. Although they are functionally empty for 90% of the year, they are technically occupied.
Estate Regeneration
Thousands of London Council homes remain vacant, not because of lavish investment but because they are stuck in the regeneration limbo, awaiting demolition, which often takes years to begin.
For more information on the broader issue of empty homes across the UK and how they affect communities, see our Empty Houses information.
The Impact on Communities
A vacant house is a burden on the community and a lost opportunity for a family. Local stores, cafes, and bars depend on foot traffic. Anti-Social Behaviour: When properties are neglected, they can attract squatters and vandalism, giving an otherwise nice area a negative name.
Property supply remains artificially low, preventing thousands of homes from reaching the market and driving up prices for the rest of us.
How to Tackle Empty Properties
At last, local authorities and the government are beginning to take action. New legislation enacted in April 2025 permits councils to be far more forceful:
- The 100% Premium – As of 2025, the council tax bill doubles in several boroughs (such as Camden, Ealing, and Hounslow) if your property is vacant for a year.
- The 300% Escalator – The owner may be charged four times the regular Council Tax rate if the home is vacant for ten years or more.
- Enforced Sales and Loans – While some authorities are threatening enforced sales to reclaim properties from people who would actually occupy them, others are already providing interest-free loans to help owners remodel run-down houses.
The UK Government allows local authorities to charge higher council tax premiums on long-term vacant properties, find out more about how these council tax rules work on the official Government site.