The latest research from House Buyer Bureau has revealed that more than 300,000 homes across England have been sitting empty for at least six months, with the estimated value of this long-term vacant housing stock standing at almost £89bn. House Buyer Bureau analysed the latest available data on the number of vacant homes across England, focusing specifically on those classed as long-term vacant properties, meaning properties liable for council tax that have been empty for more than six months and are not subject to specified exemptions. The research then applied the latest average house price in each region to estimate the potential value of this unused housing stock. The figures show that there are 754,264 vacant homes across England, of which 303,185 are classed as long-term vacant. This means that 40.2% of England’s vacant housing stock has been sitting empty for more than six months. Based on the latest regional average house prices, House Buyer Bureau estimates that these long-term vacant homes represent some £88.6bn worth of residential property currently sitting unused. While increasing the supply of newly built homes remains central to tackling the nation’s housing shortage, House Buyer Bureau says the sheer volume of existing homes sitting empty for prolonged periods highlights another area of housing supply that cannot be ignored. London sitting on almost £26bn of long-term vacant homes London has the highest estimated value of long-term vacant housing stock of any region. There are 47,287 long-term vacant homes across the capital, accounting for 45% of London’s 105,138 vacant properties. With the average London home valued at £544,814, House Buyer Bureau estimates that the capital’s long-term vacant housing stock is worth almost £25.8bn. The South East ranks second by value, where 42,099 long-term vacant homes have an estimated combined value of £16.1bn, followed by the East of England, where 32,123 long-term vacant properties are estimated to be worth £10.9bn. The North West has 42,606 long-term vacant properties with an estimated value of £9.4bn, while the South West’s 28,553 long-term vacant homes are estimated to be worth £8.6bn. Billions in empty homes within individual local authorities At local authority level, some of the most valuable concentrations of long-term vacant housing are found within London. Kensington and Chelsea has 2,030 long-term vacant homes, representing 59.7% of all vacant properties within the borough. Based on the borough’s average house price of £1.256m, this stock has an estimated value of almost £2.55bn. Westminster has 2,279 long-term vacant properties, equivalent to 61.2% of its vacant housing stock, with an estimated combined value of £1.91bn. Camden’s 2,059 long-term vacant homes are worth an estimated £1.66bn, while Southwark has 2,543 with an estimated value of £1.47bn and Lambeth has 2,280 worth an estimated £1.24bn. Outside London, Birmingham stands out, with 7,060 homes having remained vacant for more than six months. Based on the city’s average house price, this equates to an estimated £1.64bn worth of long-term vacant housing. Managing Director of House Buyer Bureau, Chris Hodgkinson, commented: “It’s quite remarkable that we’re constantly talking about the need to build hundreds of thousands of additional homes when more than 300,000 existing properties have already been sitting empty for over six months. Of course, there’s no single reason why a property remains vacant and not every empty home can simply be put back into use overnight. But anyone who works within the property market knows how easily a home can become stuck in limbo, whether it requires significant work, forms part of an estate, has legal complications or simply proves difficult to sell. Building more homes remains absolutely essential, but we also need to make better use of the housing stock we already have. Getting even a proportion of these long-term vacant properties back into circulation would provide additional homes without the need to build them from scratch. For owners, the longer a property sits empty, the more of a liability it can become, particularly once maintenance, security and ongoing ownership costs start to mount. Where the conventional sales market isn’t providing a solution, owners may need to take a more pragmatic approach. Accepting a lower price in return for the speed and certainty of a quick sale can sometimes be the difference between a property remaining empty indefinitely and getting it back into use.” Data tables and sources *Vacant and long-term vacant dwelling data sourced from UK Government – Live tables on dwelling stock, including vacants, using the latest 2024-25 data. The Government defines long-term vacant dwellings as properties liable for council tax that have been empty for more than six months, excluding specified exemptions. *Average house price data sourced from the UK Government – UK House Price Index, using the latest available June 2026 data. *Estimated value of long-term vacant housing stock calculated by House Buyer Bureau by applying the latest average house price at regional and local authority level to the number of long-term vacant dwellings. Full data tables can be viewed online here Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Planning permission has officially been approved for a transformative £41.8 million redevelopment project at Ewenny Road, Maesteg, bringing 192 new homes to a prominent brownfield site that has stood vacant for over 12 years. The project is being delivered by Sylfaen, the commercially driven development subsidiary of Bridgend-based housing association Valleys to Coast, in partnership with housebuilders Tai Derw Developments Ltd, an Edenstone Group company. The site was prepared for development following £3.5 million in remediation funding from Bridgend County Borough Council and the Cardiff Capital Region. Located adjacent to the Oakwood Estate and a short walk from Ewenny Road railway station, the landmark development represents Sylfaen’s first scheme to date and a major milestone in meeting local housing demand across Bridgend. Designed to create a diverse and thriving neighborhood, the mixed-tenure community will comprise 192 homes tailored to various needs, including 35 homes for social rent, 19 affordable rent homes, 54 shared ownership properties and 84 homes for open-market sale. Future residents will also be able to enjoy a community garden, public open spaces, and a fully equipped children’s play area on-site. The scheme will deliver substantial community benefits through a contribution of more than £100,000 to support local initiatives. Revenue generated from the open-market sales will be reinvested to help strengthen Valleys to Coast’s ongoing investment in delivering and maintaining social homes across South Wales. Work on-site is scheduled to commence in October 2026, with the first homes expected to be ready by April 2027. Phased construction will continue through to target completion in 2031. James Griffiths, Managing Director of Sylfaen, said: “For more than a decade, this site has stood empty, but soon it will be a vibrant, thriving neighborhood. By offering a true mix of social rent, affordable ownership, and open market sale properties, we are creating opportunity and meeting a range of local housing needs. “Our goal is to build communities where people can grow, work and belong and we look forward to working closely with key partners and local residents as we turn this long-awaited vision into reality.” As part of its commitment to involving the local community early in the process, Sylfaen is establishing an on-site Community Cabin. The space will act as a base for the development team to answer questions from neighbors and will provide a venue for local councillors to hold surgeries with constituents. Sylfaen is also inviting local residents and customers to help shape the identity of the site by submitting naming suggestions for the development, its six new streets, and its eight house types, honoring the rich industrial heritage of the former Revlon factory. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The latest research from Lyons Bowe has revealed that sellers in Merseyside are proving the most resilient when it comes to asking prices, with just 27.2% of homes currently listed for sale having undergone a price reduction, meaning almost three quarters of properties remain at their original asking price. Lyons Bowe analysed current residential property listings across England to identify the proportion of homes currently available for sale that have seen their asking price reduced before securing a buyer. The analysis compares regional and county-level markets to reveal where sellers are proving most able to hold firm on price.* Across England, there are an estimated 393,752 homes currently available for sale, excluding those already sold subject to contract or under offer. Of these, 159,861 have undergone at least one price reduction, meaning 40.6% of current listings have seen sellers adjust their asking price. However, the figures vary considerably across the country, with some markets showing considerably greater resilience. Merseyside emerges as the strongest county-level market, with just 27.2% of available homes having undergone a price reduction. This means 72.8% of current listings in the county remain at their original asking price. Greater Manchester and Northumberland also rank among England’s most resilient markets, with 33.1% of current listings in each having seen a price reduction. They are followed by Rutland at 33.6% and East Riding of Yorkshire at 34.3%. The regional figures reinforce the strength of northern markets. The North West records the lowest proportion of price-reduced homes in England, at 32.4%, meaning more than two thirds of current listings in the region have not required an asking price reduction. The North East follows at 36.8%, while Yorkshire and the Humber ranks third at 37.8%. The West Midlands also performs relatively strongly, with 39.1% of current listings having seen a price reduction, while the East Midlands records 40.6%, broadly in line with the national figure. At the other end of the scale, the South East records the highest proportion of price-reduced homes, at 43.4%, followed by London at 42.0% and the East of England at 41.9%. The South West records 40.8%, also close to the national picture. The county-level data highlights an equally wide variation. While almost half of homes currently listed in Norfolk have undergone a price reduction, at 48.2%, the proportion falls to 27.2% in Merseyside. The Isle of Wight, East Sussex and Dorset also record relatively high levels of price reductions, at 46.7%, 46.4% and 45.5% respectively. Lyons Bowe says the findings demonstrate that national housing market trends can mask significant differences between individual regions and counties, with some local markets continuing to support sellers’ asking prices more effectively than others. Paul Lyons, Managing Director at Lyons Bowe Solicitors, commented: “One of the most interesting things about the housing market at the moment is just how differently individual parts of the country are performing. Merseyside is a particularly striking example. With more than seven in 10 homes currently listed for sale yet to undergo a price reduction, sellers in the county are proving considerably more resilient than the national picture would suggest. The wider performance of the North West is also encouraging, with the region recording the lowest proportion of price-reduced listings in England. For sellers and estate agents, that points to a market where there is still scope to hold firm on asking prices when a property is accurately valued and appropriately marketed. Of course, a price reduction isn’t in itself a measure of whether a market is strong or weak. Sellers may reduce their asking price for all sorts of reasons, and the figures don’t tell us how quickly properties are selling. What they do show is where sellers have so far been less likely to need to adjust their expectations. That local picture is increasingly important. The national housing market can tell you a great deal, but it can’t necessarily tell an individual seller what is happening on their street. For estate agents, understanding those local differences is crucial when advising clients on pricing and setting realistic expectations from the outset.” Data tables and sources Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Councillors from New Forest District Council (NFDC), including its Portfolio Holder for Housing, visited VIVID’s new housing development in New Milton on Friday to see progress on 17 new affordable homes. The homes are being built on land adjacent to Milton Barns on Gore Road and are being delivered by leading housing association VIVID, in partnership with local contractor Glossbrook. The development will provide 14 houses and 3 flats for social rent. The scheme, which is being delivered with grant funding support from Homes England, was visited by Councillor Steve Davies, who holds responsibility for housing on New Forest District Council’s Cabinet and who serves as one of the local New Milton councillors. He was joined on the visit by fellow local councillor, Councillor Steve Clarke, together with Sophie Sajic, NFDC’s Strategic Director for Housing & Communities. Mike Shepherd, Chief Investment Officer at VIVID, said: “Strong relationships and partnerships with local councils are key to helping us deliver more affordable homes for customers and respond to the growing housing need in our communities. We know how important a safe, secure and affordable home is, so it’s encouraging to see these new homes taking shape in New Milton. As well as providing much-needed housing, we’re helping to create a good place to live where customers can put down roots, feel part of the community and build a positive future for themselves and their families.” Councillor Steve Davies, New Forest District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “This development is a significant achievement and highlights the value of partnership working in tackling local housing need. New Forest District Council has been pleased to work as an enabler, to support VIVID in bringing forward this scheme, helping to create high-quality homes that will make a real difference to residents’ lives. These new homes will provide security, opportunity and a strong foundation for individuals and families to build their future, allocated through the Council’s housing register.” Richard Fooks, Managing Director of Glossbrook Builders added: “We’re proud to be working in partnership with VIVID to deliver this affordable housing development, helping to provide much-needed, high-quality homes for the local community. This project reflects our commitment to building well-designed, sustainable homes that will have a lasting positive impact for future residents. We look forward to successfully delivering the scheme whilst supporting VIVID and their project partners in creating a development that will make a positive and lasting contribution to the local community.” The homes are expected to be completed by April next year, subject to progress on site. The Gore Road development is one of several VIVID’s delivering across the New Forest, helping more local people access affordable homes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

CBRE Investment Management (“CBRE IM”), on behalf of CBRE UK Single Family Housing Partners (“SFHP”), has completed the acquisition of a 222-home single family housing portfolio in the South East of England from UK housebuilder, Bellway. The transaction represents the seed investment for CBRE IM’s newly launched SFHP strategy, established in partnership with Moda Living. The platform is focused on delivering and operating high-quality, professionally managed family rental homes in structurally undersupplied UK markets, providing investors with access to a growing and resilient residential segment. The portfolio comprises a mix of completed homes and forward-funded development across three sites in established residential markets: Stevenage, Milton Keynes and Burgess Hill. All homes are expected to be delivered by the end of 2027. The sites all have excellent access to high quality transport links, proximity to major employment centres, schooling and attractive local amenities. The developments will deliver predominantly two- and three-bedroom homes, with a layout and specifications aligned to the needs of family renters and long-term occupiers. Homes within the portfolio will be operated by CBRE IM’s partner, Moda Living. Tom James, Head of UK Transactions at CBRE Investment Management, said: “This is an exciting addition to our residential platform and a great first step in growing our single family housing fund, delivering high-quality houses on attractive sites in locations where demand for best-in-class, professionally managed rental housing continues to outstrip supply. Working alongside Moda Living, we are building a platform designed to deliver at scale, both in terms of operational execution and investor outcomes, focused on homes that meet the evolving needs of renters and generate sustainable income over time.” Johnny Caddick, CEO of Moda Living, commented: “These first acquisitions are an important milestone for the platform and reflect the progress we’ve made since launching the partnership earlier this year. “Demand for professionally managed rental homes continues to outstrip supply and, with the backing of committed, long-term capital and Moda’s integrated development and operational platform, we’re well placed to help address that challenge. We’re looking forward to building on this strong start as we continue to grow the platform by utilising Moda’s delivery and operational capabilities – together with the wider Caddick Group land pipeline – to deliver more high-quality homes across the UK.” Ian Gorst, Regional Chair, Bellway Homes, said: “We are delighted to have completed this portfolio transaction with CBRE IM and Moda as they launch their new UK Single Family BTR Fund. Their investment in Whitehouse Gardens, Milton Keynes, Forster Park, Stevenage, and Fallow Wood View, Burgess Hill demonstrates confidence in the strength of these outstanding new communities. We are proud they have chosen Bellway as their delivery partner, recognising our proven HBF 5-Star homebuilder track record for quality and customer satisfaction. We wish CBRE IM and Moda every success with this exciting new venture and look forward to building on our relationship in the years ahead.” The acquisition follows the recent launch of CBRE UK Single Family Housing Partners, a dedicated single family housing strategy established by CBRE IM in partnership with Moda Living, part of Caddick Group. Backed by an initial £400 million available capital and supported by core, long-term investor capital, the strategy has a clear ambition to grow to £2 billion in value over time. The platform is designed to address the growing demand for high-quality rental homes while providing investors with access to one of the UK’s most compelling residential sectors. TT&G Partners and CBRE advised CBRE IM, and Savills advised Bellway. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals