§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many houses, broken down by region, have been empty for(a) less than 12 months, (b) 12 months to three years and (c) three years and over; and what percentage of empty homes are eligible for reduction in VAT on conversion costs. [155160]
Mr. Robert AinsworthThe available information on empty residential property in England at the beginning of 2000–01 is given in the table.
Robust estimates are not available of the number of empty homes that will be eligible for the adjustment to the zero VAT rate for the sale of empty homes, nor for the reduced rate for the refurbishment costs of empty homes, but estimates produced in conjunction with the Empty Homes Agency suggest that around 60 per cent. of all long term empty properties (defined as those empty for more than 12 months) in England will be eligible. No estimates are available at a regional level.
A separate Budget measure was introduced to lower the rate of VAT for dwelling conversions which lead to a different number of dwelling units. This applies to all dwelling conversions, whether the property was previously empty or not, and is expected to lead to a net increase of around 1,000 dwellings a year.
399W
Vacant dwellings in England by region at the start of 2000–01 Dwellings vacant for: Tenure category 12 months or less More than 12 months Total vacant dwellings England Local authority 65,700 21,500 87,200 Registered social landlords (RSL) 30,300 7,200 37,500 Other public sector n/a n/a 16,000 Private sector 421,300 201,900 623,200 All n/a n/a 763,900 North East Local authority 7,400 2,600 10,000 Registered social landlords (RSL) n/a n/a 2,100 Other public sector n/a n/a 700 Private sector 23,800 13,300 37,100 All n/a n/a 49,900 Yorkshire and Humberside Local authority 11,900 3,500 15,400 Registered social landlords (RSL) n/a n/a 2,400 Other public sector n/a n/a 1,300 Private sector 52,900 27,700 80,600 All n/a n/a 99,700 East Midlands Local authority 5,200 900 6,100 Registered social landlords (RSL) n/a n/a 2,600 Other public sector n/a n/a 1,800 Private sector 38,100 19,400 57,500 All n/a n/a 68,000
Vacant dwellings in England by region at the start of 2000–01 Dwellings vacant for: Tenure category 12 months or less More than 12 months Total vacant dwellings East of England Local authority 3,500 500 4,000 Registered social landlords (RSL) n/a n/a 1,900 Other public sector n/a n/a 1,600 Private sector 44,700 18,000 62,700 All n/a n/a 70,200 London Local authority 8,700 4,200 112,800 Registered social landlords (RSL) n/a n/a 7,300 Other public sector n/a n/a 1,700 Private sector 57,300 26,100 83,400 All n/a n/a 1105,200 South East Local authority 3,100 400 3,500 Registered social landlords (RSL) n/a n/a 3,600 Other public sector n/a n/a 2,500 Private sector 52,900 24,900 77,800 All n/a n/a 87,400 South West Local authority 2,400 400 2,800 Registered social landlords (RSL) n/a n/a 2,700 Other public sector n/a n/a 2,300 Private sector 40,100 16,200 56,300 All n/a n/a 64,100 West Midlands Local authority 10,100 2.800 12,900 Registered social landlords (RSL) n/a n/a 4,400 Other public sector n/a n/a 900 Private sector 38,700 23,000 61,700 All n/a n/a 79,900 North West Local authority 13,400 6,200 118,500 Registered social landlords (RSL) n/a n/a 10,500 Other public sector n/a n/a 3,200 Private sector 72.700 33,400 106,100 All n/a n/a 1138,300 n/a = data not available 1Excludes LA dwellings situated in another local authority district Source:
DETR Housing Investment Programme returns