A lack of resources for improvement was often a major barrier to the speedy re-use of empty housing. However, in other cases prolonging vacancy is a prelude to the loss of the dwelling from the housing stock, through change of use or demolition. Bringing Vacants Back into Use Where vacant dwellings have been brought back into use by owner occupiers, they are predominantly small adult households which are economically active, and at a relatively early stage in their housing career. Because of their relatively low market value and concentration in the older housing stock, vacant dwellings provide opportunities for such households to enter owner occupation. Nearly two thirds of such households were in skilled manual occupations, some with the relevant skills to renovate property which was in poor condition.
Organisations acquiring vacant dwellings are diverse.
Some have acquired dwellings with the primary intention of letting them to tenants, others have acquired vacant residential property as part of a commercial package and may let the property to tenants, or use the accommodation to house employees. However, in some instances the acquisition of vacant residential space has been by default, with the owners having no real interest in either occupying or letting the premises. The factors determining acquisition for residential use included the location of the property, the opportunity to renovate, and most significantly, that the price was affordable and represented good value. Prices paid for vacant dwellings were generally low, particularly amongst those classified as problematic and those acquired by private landlords. Whilst the low price of problematic vacancies may enable those on relatively low incomes to become owner occupiers, perhaps for the first time, the condition of the property may delay re-occupation whilst the necessary renovations are financed and carried out.