- The majority of respondents agree that all suggested barriers are reasons for owners struggling to bring empty homes back into use (64%-76%)
- Just over a half of respondents choose not to leave a comment on other barriers
- Respondents name a variety of other barriers that they feel prevent owners from bringing empty homes back into use, the most frequent of which is the financial benefit to the owner
- The second most mentioned additional barrier is legal requirements and red tape making it difficult to rent or sell a house
Agreement with suggested barriers
Summary
How much do you agree or disagree that these are the main reasons why owners might struggle to bring empty homes back into use?
Base: Total sample (443)
This chart shows how much respondents agree each barrier is a main reason owners might struggle to bring empty homes back into use:
Financial constraints: 36% strongly agree, 40% agree, 8% disagree, 5% strongly disagree, and 12% don’t know
Absentee ownership: 32% strongly agree, 37% agree, 10% disagree, 7% strongly disagree, and 14% don’t know
Legal/ admin hurdles: 30% strongly agree, 39% agree, 9% disagree, 5% strongly disagree, and 16% don’t know
Lack of awareness/ support: 28% strongly agree, 35% agree, 14% disagree, 7% strongly disagree, and 17% don’t know
Emotional and personal issues: 26% strongly agree, 43% agree, 9% disagree, 6% strongly disagree, and 16% don’t know
Can’t decide what to do: 18% strongly agree, 46% agree, 15% disagree, 7% strongly disagree, and 14% don’t know
Are there any other barriers you can think of that prevent owners from bringing empty homes back into use?
Base: Total sample (443)
| wdt_ID | Key themes | % |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Financial reasons e.g. investment, holiday home, tax planning, inheritance | 10 |
| 3 | Legal requirements/red tape e.g. Minimum EPC, licensing, planning | 7 |
| 12 | Personal circumstances e.g. disputed inheritance, ill health, disability, divorce | 5 |
| 13 | Problems with renting e.g. tenants who don't pay or cause damage, not financially worth it, renters rights bill | 4 |
| 14 | Lack of finance/financial security | 4 |
| 15 | Laziness/apathy | 4 |
| 16 | Market conditions e.g. hard to sell, depressed prices, low rents/high taxes | 2 |
| 17 | Selfishness | 2 |
| 18 | Lack of support/reliable information | 1 |
| 19 | Time/overwhelm | 1 |
| 20 | Lack of awareness of the options | 1 |
| 21 | Deliberate running down of properties i.e. to rebuild from new | 1 |
| 22 | Other e.g. don’t live locally, lack of reliable builders/tradesmen, layout of the property, no consequences for those leaving properties empty | 3 |
| 23 | Na/no comment | 61 |
“Allowing time to pass with the expectation that the value of the empty property/land will increase.”
“They are in it for the money and house prices are low just now. They need pushing.”
“Not being able to be kept up to date with new legislations on regards to renting out their house and risk the chance of being fined or in breach of their rental agreements moving forward. I find it extremely hard to keep completely updated and I’m paranoid I am going to miss something it is daunting”
“Multiple. With new legislation on renters rights plus EPC requirements and other laws there’s increased risk for landlords. Even more important to get the right tenants not just any tenant. All within the law of course.”
“Family issues. The introduction of the Government’s new strategy. We may not be able to regain our property for the family members who are living abroad at the present time. The property is used for visiting family members who live a distance away. ”
