“The Preliminary Results show that the total housing stock on 03 April 2022 was 2,124,590, an increase of 6.0% on the 2016 figure.
There were 16,560 fewer vacant dwellings (-9.0%) in 2022 compared to 2016.
This does not include holiday homes, of which there were 66,135, compared with 62,148 in 2016.
A dwelling being classified as vacant for census purposes does not necessarily imply that it is available for re-use.
Census vacancy is essentially a point in time measure which may be different to other reported measures of vacancy which may focus more on longer term vacancy.
A dwelling is classed as vacant by census enumerators if it is unoccupied for a short or long period around Census night. For example, it may be unoccupied because it is up for sale or rent, under renovation, or if the owner has passed away, or is in a nursing home.
Dwellings under construction and derelict properties are also not included in the Census count of vacant dwellings.”