Michael Cameron

Up-to-date information will allow the government to better understand the potential contribution of bringing the properties back into use in tackling the housing emergency.

Landlords are requested to provide the Regulator with a breakdown of their property portfolio and empty homes by local authority area as at 28 February 2025.

In the letter, chief executive Michael Cameron writes: “We are aware that RSLs face a number of challenges to relet empty homes/voids quickly, including difficulties in getting utility companies to act promptly on renewing / resetting meters, the availability of contractors, labour and materials, and the poor condition that some departing tenants leave their homes in.”

He adds: “We ask that you provide this information by the end of 14 March 2025, but please let us know if you will not be able to provide us with the information by that date, and we can discuss with you options for submitting the information. We will aim to publish an analysis of the data as soon as possible after we have received it.

“We will next collect information on the numbers of empty homes/voids as part of the Annual Return on the Charter to be submitted by social landlords from April 2026.”