Somerset Council says it cannot identify where more than 2,300 empty homes are located across the county because the system needed to break the data down geographically is still being developed.

Figures released during National Empty Homes Week show there were 2,333 empty homes recorded in Somerset in 2025, down slightly from 2,406 in 2024 — a fall of 73 properties, or around three per cent.

However, when the Local Democracy Reporting Service asked for a breakdown showing where these empty homes were located within Somerset, the council said it was unable to provide the data.

A spokesperson confirmed the authority "does not currently have a system" that can break down empty homes by location.

System still being developed

Nearly three years after Somerset Council was formed, the authority is still operating multiple inherited systems from previous councils.

The council continues to run five different planning and property systems inherited from Somerset County Council and the county's four former district councils.

Officials say the capability to produce location-based data on empty homes is still being developed, either internally or in partnership with consultancy firm Newton as part of the council's transformation programme.

The council said empty homes figures are primarily identified through council tax records which show when a property is unoccupied.

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A spokesperson said:

"Local authorities work out the number of empty homes mainly by using council tax records. These records show which properties are marked as unoccupied.

"Our officers then review the list throughout the year by contacting owners, checking reports from residents, and working with teams such as environmental health and building control.

"The total number of empty homes comes from a mix of council tax data, direct checks with owners, on-the-ground verification, and national definitions."

Impact on communities

Long-term empty properties can create problems for neighbourhoods.

Vacant homes can attract anti-social behaviour, crime, littering and vermin, and may also negatively affect neighbouring properties.

To tackle the issue, Somerset Council says grants and loans are available to help owners carry out repairs and bring empty homes back into use.

These schemes allow properties to be reoccupied by owners or rented out to tenants.

Councillor Sarah Wakefield, Somerset Council's portfolio holder for adults' services, housing and homelessness, said more progress was still needed.

She said: "I am glad to see fewer empty properties in Somerset year-on-year, but more progress is needed, and you can help us lower that number even further.

"If there is a property that you know has been vacant in your local area for six months or longer, please take the time to tell us its address and postcode by using the form on our website."

Extra council tax on long-term empty homes

Under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, councils can apply additional council tax charges to long-term empty homes.

Since April 2024, Somerset Council can apply the following premiums:

• 100% council tax premium for homes empty more than one year

• 200% premium for homes empty between five and ten years

• 300% premium for homes empty for ten years or longer

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