ADD2350 Research on empty and under-utilised homes

Public concern and media focus on empty homes is high. However, while some of the focus in recent years has focused on long-term empty and uninhabitable properties , there is also concern about under-utilisation more broadly. Properties that are intended to be used as permanent housing but are not fully utilised as such include: luxury flats being under-utilised by investors or developers ; the prevalence of second homes ; and use of permanent housing stock for short-term lets.

The varying types of under-utilisation, as outlined above, mean that defining empty and under-utilisation is difficult. A further challenge (which is in part a product of the first) is the lack of comprehensive data on the extent and characteristics of empty and under-utilised homes. Most existing research is based on council tax data which is reliant on self-declaration and is based on statutory definitions which may not capture all forms of under-utilisation.

The GLA intends to commission research into empty and under-utilised homes in order to develop a better understanding of the nature and extent of the problem in London. Approval is sought for expenditure of up to £45,000 on specialist consultancy support to deliver research into this issue.

The research objective is to: identify different types of under-utilisation of homes; describe their characteristics and prevalence; and make recommendations on a definition of, and methods of data collection on, under-utilised homes. This will help to develop an evidence base to support fulfilment of the Mayor’s commitment in the London Housing Strategy to address public concern about empty homes.

The research specification sets out four questions to be answered:

a) With reference to examples from London, what are the patterns of occupation which could be defined as under-utilisation?
b) What are the common characteristics of properties in London within each type of under-utilisation identified by the research in a)? This should include (but not be limited to) reference to volume, location, and type of property, reasons for under-utilisation and whether rates of under-utilisation are higher in new build or existing stock.
c) Which types of under-utilisation are most prevalent in London currently and is there any evidence to suggest changing trends over recent years?
d) Based on the findings to a) to c) how should an ‘under-utilised’ home be defined, and what would the most effective way of collecting data and/or monitoring utilisation in future be?

The appointed consultants will be required to deliver a number of outputs including a research report outlining findings on a) to d) above.

This decision is not likely to have any impacts on individuals with protected characteristics. However, London is facing a severe housing crisis which is in part linked to a lack of supply of homes. Understanding the extent and characteristics of empty and under-utilised homes will enable evidence-based policy development about how to reduce under-utilisation and use London’s housing supply efficiently. This is likely to have positive economic and social outcomes for those Londoners who are currently unable to access the housing market. Furthermore, more comprehensive data about the locations of empty homes may contribute to a better understanding of the equalities dimensions of empty and under-utilised homes.

The London Housing Strategy sets out the Mayor’s commitment to addressing public concern about empty homes. The London Housing Strategy also cites research, commissioned by the Mayor in 2017, into the impact of overseas buyers on London’s housing market which found that the number of recorded long-term empty properties is at an historically low level . This new research will build on the findings of the previous study by focusing on both under-utilised and empty properties, including those owned by either domestic or overseas buyers in both new and existing stock. This will provide a more detailed and nuanced picture of the extent and characteristics of under-utilised and empty properties in London.

As the specification is primarily focused on secondary data and sources, there is a risk that the research will not provide conclusive evidence on the extent and characteristics of under-utilisation. This has been mitigated by inviting separately costed proposals for primary data collection which could be explored if it is decided that proposals based on secondary data are unlikely to deliver the research objectives.

The research may reveal a mixed picture of under-utilisation which does not align with public opinion. However, having a more granular and detailed evidence base would nevertheless help to inform evidence-based policy making.

This decision seeks approval for expenditure of up to £45,000 to commission research into the extent and characteristics of empty and under-utilised homes in London.

The expenditure will be funded from the H&L Management & Consultancy budget and will be incurred in 2019/20 financial year.