Aussie suburbs bucking the property trend—some areas see price drops up to $167K in the last five years.
However, the article overlooks Victoria's proactive approach to housing supply. Since 2018, the state has implemented the Vacant Residential Land Tax (VRLT), targeting owners of vacant properties. From January 1, 2025, the VRLT expands statewide, aiming to encourage property owners to lease or sell unoccupied homes, thereby increasing housing availability.
Additionally, the Victorian Government has introduced a 7.5% levy on short-term accommodation platforms like Airbnb, effective from January 1, 2025. This measure aims to prioritise housing and long-term rentals, raising funds to support social and affordable housing initiatives.
These policies are part of a broader strategy to address housing affordability and availability in Victoria.

#property #realestate #victoria #housing #housingpolicy #australia #vacanthomes #investorproperty #shorttermrentals #auspol #airbnb #negativegearing

https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/aussie-suburbs-bucking-property-trend-where-prices-have-dropped-by-up-to-167000-032153599.html

#EmptyHomes are on the rise. So why aren't they being used to solve the #HousingShortage?

by Gerry Georgieva, 8/19/2025

Excerpt: "Not all empty homes are in the dire state of repair that Corina's once was. But roughly 265,000 of them in England have been vacant for longer than six months and are classified by the government as long-term empty (#LTE). (Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have different housing policies, as housing is a devolved matter in the #UK.)

"Fixing these would also have a significant effect on the communities around them, as long-term empty properties can attract anti-social behaviour and in some cases reduce an area's value."

Read more:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3r413l5n57o

#HousingCrisis #HousingForAll #AffordableHousingForAll #RepairGrants #VacantHomes

West Wales sees surge in vacant homes despite council tax clampdowns

Wales now has the highest percentage of vacant and second homes in the UK, according to new research from Compare My Move — with Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire all ranking in the top half of the national league table.

The findings show that 8.71% of homes in Wales are either second homes with no usual residents or completely vacant — edging ahead of London (8.69%) and well above the UK average. Four Welsh counties feature in the UK’s top 10 emptiest areas, including Gwynedd, Ceredigion, Denbighshire, and the Isle of Anglesey.

Despite efforts by local councils to curb second-home ownership through council tax premiums, the data suggests the problem is far from solved.

📊 Swansea: 0.8% second homes, 7.6% vacant dwellings — 8.4% combined
📊 Carmarthenshire: 0.9% second homes, 7.7% vacant dwellings — 8.6% combined
📊 Pembrokeshire: 3.7% second homes, 10.2% vacant dwellings — 13.9% combined

Tax hikes, but little slowdown

In recent years, councils across South West Wales have introduced steep council tax premiums to discourage second-home ownership:

• Pembrokeshire Council voted to impose a 200% premium on second homes earlier this year
• Neath Port Talbot Council is considering a doubling of council tax for empty properties and second homes
• Across Wales, councils have collectively raised £12.5 million in extra council tax from second homes and vacant properties1

But Compare My Move’s managing director Dave Sayce warns that even with these measures, the trend may continue.

“Wales is a very attractive area for second-home buyers due to its lower house prices,” he said. “Even with tax implications, we’re not convinced we’ll see a reduction in the percentage of homes sitting empty most of the year.”

West vs East: A widening divide

The data also highlights a stark east-west divide. Counties in West Wales — with lower average house prices — are seeing higher rates of second-home ownership and vacancy. In contrast, areas like Bridgend, Caerphilly, and Torfaen report the lowest combined rates.

“Lower prices and cost of living make West Wales attractive to outside buyers,” Sayce added. “But that pushes up local prices and makes it harder for residents to get on the property ladder.”

Full Welsh league table: Vacant and second homes combined

With a 31% rise in people moving from England to Wales in the first half of 2025, the pressure on housing stock is only expected to grow.

More on second homes and council tax in Wales

Council rakes in extra £12.5m in council tax from second homes and empty properties
Published April 2024: Welsh councils collectively generate millions in additional revenue through premiums on second homes and vacant dwellings.

Pembrokeshire Council votes for 200% council tax premium for second homes
Published February 2024: Councillors approve steep tax hike aimed at curbing second-home ownership and easing pressure on local housing.

Council tax for second homes and empty properties could double in Neath Port Talbot
Published March 2024: Local authority considers new measures to tackle housing availability and affordability amid rising vacancy rates.

#CouncilTax #emptyHomes #Property #secondHomes #vacantHomes

Super renovation by Cora, definitely agree with the article, we need to make renovation of these properties easier, we can unlock so much vacant, derelict properties in towns and cities for people to live in

#cork #dereliction #corkCity #vacantHomes

https://www.echolive.ie/corkviews/arid-41588719.html

Sydney is facing a severe housing shortage, and owning a mansion seems like a distant dream for many. Meanwhile, there are sprawling, multi-million dollar homes across the city that have been left vacant and neglected for years. New South Wales tops the list for empty homes, with 22,000 vacant properties in Sydney alone. #HousingCrisis #SydneyRealEstate #VacantHomes #RentalCrisis #LandBanking #vacantpropertytax

https://www.9news.com.au/national/the-sydney-mansions-that-have-been-sitting-empty-for-years/93016d3c-3789-40f3-90af-a17f589fb13f