The incredible number of privately-owned homes in Birmingham that have been left empty revealed
The city council is urging residents to report empty properties as part of National Empty Homes Week (9–15 March)
Over the past year, the council’s Empty Homes Team has brought 340 empty properties back into use.
Birmingham City Council records show 5,200 privately-owned homes in Birmingham have been empty for two years or more.
Long‑term empty homes often fall into disrepair, attract fly‑tipping, and can become hotspots for anti‑social behaviour, creating challenges for neighbourhoods.
The council recently brought a property back into use in Perry Barr (pictured below), which was left vacant after its former occupier moved into residential care.
Over time, the home deteriorated significantly, with issues including an unstable sidewall, an overgrown garden attracting fly‑tipping and vermin, and reports of squatters.
The council intervened to improve the condition of the garden, remove the unsafe sidewall and start the process of auctioning the property. Efforts were made to trace the beneficiaries following the former occupier’s death.
However, due to limited leasehold time remaining, no claim was made. Once the leasehold expired, the council took enforcement action against the freeholder, resulting in the leasehold registration being removed and the property being made available for auction.
The home has since been fully renovated by the new owners and is now back in use, improving the appearance and safety of the area.
What’s been said?
Councillor Nicky Brennans, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, said: "Homes that stand empty in Birmingham can be a blight on local communities. They attract fly-tippers, burglars, vandals, and squatters. They can be a cause of anti-social behaviour and are often an eyesore in a neighbourhood, contributing to its decline and devaluing other people's homes nearby.
“Bringing a home back into use can be a long and complicated process, but it is vital work that is needed at a time of unprecedented housing demand.
"We will always try to work with owners of empty homes to bring them back into use. However, we will undertake compulsory purchase orders as a last resort to protect people and their communities.”