The most common reasons for unfitness are unsatisfactory facilities for preparation and cooking of food, disrepair and dampness. In 1996, more dwellings were unfit on one item alone than in 1991. Unfitness rates vary considerably between tenures. The unfitness rates experienced by households in these sectors are different because of differential rates of unfitness in vacant dwellings in each sector and also because of multi-occupancy in the private rented sector. Because of the sheer size of the sector, more than half of all unfit homes are owner occupied, and this proportion has increased since 1991.
Vacant dwellings cost about twice as much as occupied dwellings to make fit.