Scotland sees 10% annual rise in empty homes returned back into use
More than 2,000 empty homes in Scotland were returned to use in 2024-25, a rise of 10% on the previous year, new figures show.
Scotland sees 10% annual rise in empty homes returned back into use #ukhousingThe 2,066 private properties are in 28 of the country’s 32 local authority areas and were in various states of repair before being brought back as homes for residents.
It is the highest ever number of vacant homes brought back into use in a single year since the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) was set up in 2010, although the percentage increase is down on the 50% rise recorded last year.
The SEHP is a government-funded scheme run by Shelter which works to tackle long-term empty housing through various measures, including working with councils and running an advice service.
Tahmina Nizam, national manager at SEHP, said: “Every home matters in the fight to end Scotland’s housing emergency, so I’m thrilled that a record number of empty homes have been brought back into use in the past year.
“Last year the Scottish government declared a housing emergency, and more than a dozen councils have done the same so it’s more important than ever that we make the best use of the resources we have.”
The latest figures mean that nearly 13,000 formerly disused homes in Scotland have been returned to use in the 15 years the programme has been running, although around 43,500 homes are still empty.
Councils are also stepping up their work to tackle the issue of empty homes amid the country’s housing crisis, according to the SEHP’s annual report.
The majority of local authorities, 25, either have or are developing empty homes strategies, more than double the number last year, while 19 now have an empty homes acquisition or buyback programme.
But the public still think more work is needed, as a poll in February found that more than 40% of adults in Scotland believe their local authority is doing too little to combat empty homes.
Holyrood is also boosting its efforts with a £2m recruitment drive to create more empty homes officer roles at nine councils, launched in July.
Ms Nizam added: “We know empty homes won’t solve the housing emergency on their own but bringing them back into use is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to meet housing needs, so it’s clear they have a significant role to play.
“The record-breaking efforts of empty homes officers across the country, and everyone else working to tackle empty homes, in the past year should be celebrated, but it’s clear a strategic focus and sustained investment is needed if we’re to continue to build on the excellent work that’s already underway.”
Màiri McAllan, cabinet secretary for housing, who this week unveiled the government’s housing emergency action plan, said: “These record-breaking figures show that making the best use of existing housing stock is a cost-effective and sustainable way of adding to the overall housing supply, complementing our ambitious housebuilding programme.
“In 2025-26 we are investing £2m through the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership to support councils to reduce the number of privately owned empty homes.
“This includes funding to allow them to recruit additional empty homes officers to take a more targeted and proactive approach to returning these homes into use.
“Every empty home brought back can provide much-needed homes for families and strengthen our communities.”
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