0:03 AM, 11th February 2025, About a month ago 8
Text Size
There are more than 1.2 million individuals on social housing waiting lists and there’s an average wait time of nearly three years – but one region faces a wait of 25.75 years, research reveals.
According to insurers Alan Boswell Group, which filed Freedom of Information requests, Greater London holds the unfortunate distinction of having the most vacant council homes (8,878).
It also tops the longest average wait for social housing (6.6 years).
However, one London borough, Barking and Dagenham, reports tenant waits averaging 25.75 years, including a 67-year wait for a four-bedroom property.
Heath Alexander-Bew, a director at Alan Boswell Group, is highlighting the urgent need to address the UK’s housing crisis, and she said: “While unoccupied properties in the UK have fallen, we still have over 46,000 empty council homes and more than 1.2 million people on waiting lists.
“Vacant council homes pose risks such as property deterioration and security threats, which impact local governments’ resources and finances.”
She added: “These challenges require urgent attention but once addressed, can turn empty council properties into immediate homes for people on long waiting lists.”
The firm’s research shows that nearly one in 10 households (9%) face social housing waits of over five years and London’s housing demand outstrips supply.
There are 335,035 people on the waiting list — that’s 37.7 times more than available housing.
Bury has the highest per capita number of empty council properties (402.9 per 10,000 people), totalling 7,841.
Its waiting list has 2,756 individuals and average wait times are 1.73 years.
Aberdeen’s 2,272 vacant homes represent the second-highest rate per capita (101.3 per 10,000), with 6,694 active applications and one applicant refusing 13 offers over 17 years.
Edinburgh (1,072), Renfrewshire (1,062) and Birmingham (1,011) also have substantial numbers of vacant properties.
There has also been a dramatic 88% drop in new affordable housing starts in London (3,156) between April 2023 and March 2024, compared to the previous year (26,386), which is exacerbates the capital’s housing crisis.
Slough Borough Council has the second-longest wait time at 6.25 years, and its impending inclusion in Greater London, along with part of Berkshire, will probably make the housing shortage worse.
Aberdeen’s six-year average wait is the third longest, with intense competition for its 2,272 vacant properties among 6,694 applicants.
Brighton and Hove follow with a 5.25-year wait.
In contrast, South Derbyshire offers the shortest wait at just 94 days, followed by Stafford (4.2 months), South Tyneside (4.5 months) and North West Leicestershire (5.1 months).
Previous Article
Propertymark pushes for Landlord and Tenant Act reform
Northernpleb
Become a Member
If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments and posts!
Sign Up10:17 AM, 11th February 2025, About a month ago
Why should we bother about Council waiting times and housing shortages, and high rents. And people being homeless. The Government Clearly want to add fuel to the fire.
We are the ones that were originally the solution when Thatcher had the same problem.
Now were public enemy no one. The Government is hell bent on driving us out with Legislation and Taxation.
The RRB and Milliband will double this number .
So its a good job Rayner is building one and an half million houses.
Jo Westlake
Become a Member
If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments and posts!
Sign Up14:52 PM, 11th February 2025, About a month ago
If the rent for Council houses wasn't so ludicrously cheap Councils would be able to refurb all the empty properties more quickly. Also properly maintain the rest of their housing stock and buy some of the thousands of "affordable" houses that have been built specifically for them to buy.
Council rents are way below LHA. Anyone on a low income would receive up to the LHA as part of their UC. It is questionable why anyone who doesn't qualify for UC should get such massively subsidized housing.
I fully understand Councils have to adhere to government policy on how much rent increases can be (CPI + 1%). However, perhaps the government should also say Social rents can't be below LHA?
Reluctant Landlord
Become a Member
If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments and posts!
Sign Up15:15 PM, 11th February 2025, About a month ago
Reply to the comment left by Jo Westlake at 11/02/2025 - 14:52
I agree. Seems ludicrous that social rents are lower than the LHA. If anything they should match this. Saying that though the way councils and HA's tend to spend money like water, its doubtful that the sudden influx of increased rent WOULD actually be spent on building more housing. It would just get sucked up immediately by paying off the TA bill....
Cider Drinker
Become a Member
If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments and posts!
Sign Up15:39 PM, 11th February 2025, About a month ago
It’s not 26 years though, is it.
In 5 years time there’ll be 5 million more people on the wasting list, many will be prioritised ahead of them. That 26 years though wait will increase and wannabe tenants will die before they reach the front of the queue.
It’s a it like the government place for victims of the Post Office scandal.
Perhaps Labour’s assisted dying bill will free up some homes. They don’t like old people, do they?
DPT
Become a Member
If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments and posts!
Sign Up1:35 AM, 12th February 2025, About a month ago
It was longer on 1989 and hasn't been much shorter since.
Reluctant Landlord
Become a Member
If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments and posts!
Sign Up6:53 AM, 12th February 2025, About a month ago
my parents went on council list as soon as they got married in 1965. They never got an offer. They don't remember what happened exactly now, but have a chuckle thinking they could still on a list somewhere......
Eemiia Cerk
Become a Member
If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments and posts!
Sign Up18:44 PM, 13th February 2025, About a month ago
Many people on this list won't need a house. They will put their name down anyway to chance getting a better house ?
blair
Become a Member
If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments and posts!
Sign Up19:05 PM, 15th February 2025, About a month ago
Why is it my job to subsidise housing for other people Its not my problem its there own.
Yes years ago I thought should try to get a cheap home to rent from the council They told me my parents should of put me on the list when I was born.