Somerset Council has reported that it cannot currently provide details on the locations of more than 2,300 empty homes across the county because the system required to generate this data is “still being developed.”
In recognition of National Empty Homes Week, the council has been offering advice and support to homeowners, including information about grants available to encourage the renovation and reuse of empty properties, helping to avoid additional council tax penalties.
Latest figures show a slight decline in empty properties in Somerset, decreasing from 2,406 in 2024 to 2,333 in 2025—a reduction of 73 homes, or roughly three percent. However, when approached by the Local Democracy Reporting Service to provide a geographic breakdown, the council disclosed that it lacks the means to do so at present.
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Nearly three years after its formation, Somerset Council continues to operate on five separate planning systems inherited from the previous county and district councils. The council confirmed that it currently does not have a system capable of categorizing empty homes by location and that such capabilities are being developed either internally or in collaboration with Newton as part of an ongoing transformation program.
A council spokesperson explained, “Local authorities calculate the number of empty homes primarily through council tax records, which identify unoccupied properties. Our officers periodically verify this information by contacting property owners, gathering reports from residents, and coordinating with environmental health and building control teams. The final figure derives from a combination of council tax data, direct owner contact, on-site inspections, and national definitions.”
Empty homes pose significant concerns for communities, often leading to increased anti-social behavior, crime, litter accumulation, vermin infestations, and potential depreciation or damage to neighboring properties.
To combat this, grants and loans are available to owners whose properties have remained empty for extended periods, enabling vital repairs and encouraging these homes to be occupied either by owners or rented out to tenants.
Councillor Sarah Wakefield, portfolio holder for adults' services, housing, and homelessness, stated, “While it is encouraging to see a year-on-year reduction in the number of empty properties, there is more work to be done. We urge residents to help by reporting any properties vacant for six months or longer using the form on our website.”
Following the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 (LURA), Somerset Council has enhanced powers to impose additional council tax premiums on long-term empty properties. From April 2024, properties vacant for over one year may be charged a 100% premium; this increases to 200% for properties empty between five and ten years, and 300% for those unoccupied for ten years or more.
For more information on support available or to report an empty home, residents are encouraged to visit www.somerset.gov.uk/housing-support/empty-homes.