Portsmouth City Council is asking residents to share their views on empty homes across the city. With approximately 950 private properties currently vacant, the council wants community input on its draft strategy to bring these homes back into use.
The consultation regarding empty homes runs from Wednesday 16th July to Thursday 21st August 2025. The council will use all feedback received to formulate the final strategy, which will remain in place until 2030, pending approval at the council’s housing and tackling homelessness decision meeting.
There are numerous reasons why properties may remain vacant in the city. Owners may have relocated to sheltered accommodation, relatives might find it challenging to update a property to make it suitable for sale or rental, or owners could be overseas or difficult to contact.
The draft strategy examines methods to bring homes back into use as quickly as possible. This includes:
- Supporting property owners to rent or sell their empty homes
- Improving collaboration across council departments and external partners to identify empty homes more rapidly
- Making dealing with empty properties a shared responsibility
By working together, the council hopes to increase the number of homes available for those who need them, particularly those on the housing register.
Residents and property owners are encouraged to participate by:
- Completing the survey to share their views on the strategy
- Reporting empty properties in their neighbourhood
- Working with the council to bring their own empty properties back into use
Cllr Darren Sanders, Cabinet Member for Housing and Tackling Homelessness, said: “Empty homes in the city can lead to issues such as overgrown gardens and homes looking run-down, which can have a negative impact on the neighbourhoods they are in. We understand that dealing with empty properties can be complex and, in some cases, emotionally challenging. That’s why this strategy aims to provide better support for owners and ensure a more joined-up approach across council departments.
“Everyone can play their part. It really does take a village to solve the empty homes issue in the city.”
For more information or to participate in the survey, please visit https://www.research.net/r/EmptyHomes_g or contact emptyproperties@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call 023 9260 6193.
You can also report an empty home using the council’s online form.
