The Revenue commissioners have released data on vacant homes captured as part of the Local property Tax Returns. The data reveals a total of 57,206 homes vacant nationwide for a variety of reasons. There are 1,831 of these homes in county Tipperary accounting for 3.2% of the total. Approximately half of the homes in Tipperary are vacant for less than 6 months and the other half for longer than 6 months. The government has included a commitment to research vacancy and the reasons for it in the Housing for All policy. The data may be used to decide on introducing a vacant property tax. The reasons for temporary vacancy were identified as the property is for sale, between lettings, undergoing refurbishment, the property is subject to a probate application or other legal proceedings, holiday homes, or in cases where the owner is in long-term care.
Other work strands aimed at maximising the use of existing housing stock includes a new programme to help Local Authorities buy or compulsory purchase 2,500 vacant homes in their area.
Of the 57,206 properties reported as vacant by their owners, 3,450 are owned by Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs). The preliminary findings of Census 2022 provided a figure of 166,752 vacant homes nationwide.
