Residential Vacancy Based on Metered Electricity Consumption 2023

Vacancy Flows

For the purposes of this release, a dwelling is considered to move out of vacancy when following a period of at least four consecutive quarters of electricity consumption below 180kWh per quarter, electricity consumption rises above 180kWh in the next quarter. Conversely, a dwelling is considered to move into vacancy following four consecutive quarters of electricity consumption below 180kWh having previously consumed more than this amount. Table 2.1 displays the numbers of dwellings moving out of and into vacancy for 2023. In Q4 2023, we found that 7,496 vacant dwellings moved out of vacancy and 6,998 dwellings became vacant. Therefore, 498 more dwellings moved out of vacancy than moved into vacancy in the latest quarter. 

There may be a seasonal quarterly trend in the number of dwellings becoming vacant. In recent years, there has been a spike in the number of dwellings becoming vacant in Q4, this is particularly evident from 2020 to 2022. Figure 2.1 and Table 2.2 below show the number of dwellings moving into and out of vacancy each quarter.

Duration of Vacancy

This section disaggregates the stock of vacant dwellings in Q4 2023 by the duration of vacancy, based upon consistently low electricity consumption. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of vacant dwellings in Q4 2023 had low electricity consumption for more than two years (nine or more quarters), this equates to 46,687 vacant dwellings. One in ten (10% or 6,998 vacant dwellings) had low consumption for four quarters only (See Figure 2.2 and Table 2.3).

Building Energy Ratings (BER) and Dwelling Type

Additional information is available where electricity connections can be linked to Building Energy Rating (BER) assessments. In Q4 2023, less than a third (33%) of vacant dwellings could be matched to a BER assessment. At the national level, more than a third (35%) of vacant dwellings with BER assessments were detached houses (See Figure 2.3 and Table 2.4). See Background Notes and Methodology for more details on BER assessments and data.

In Q4 2023, vacant dwellings nationally were more likely to have a low BER of F or G. Ratings of F or G were given to 35% of vacant dwellings in Q4 2023 in their most recent BER assessment, but only 10% of all BER-assessed dwellings had one of these ratings.

Of the BER rated vacant dwellings in Q4 2023, where the main source of heating can be identified, 40% used oil, 26% gas, and 21% used electricity. For those vacant dwellings in Q4 2023 where a match could be made to BER data, less than 3% or 946 recorded Solar Energy as a renewable energy source. Note: Solar energy includes both solar thermal installations for water and space heating and solar photovoltaic installations for electricity generation.

Further Characteristics of Vacant Dwellings

Table 2.4 shows the characteristics of vacant dwellings in Q4 2023 by various groupings, based on ESB Networks data and matching it to the BER assessment data.

Urban/Rural

Using ESB designations, more than half (51%) of vacant dwellings in Q4 2023 were in rural areas, with 49% in urban areas. This is in contrast with the mix of all dwellings in the quarter, where less than a third (30%) were in rural areas. The rate of vacancy among rural dwellings was 5.7% whereas the rate among urban dwellings was lower at 2.3%. Households were defined as urban or rural based on their ESB connection tariff. See Background Notes and Methodology for more details of this definition.

Year of Construction

Vacant dwellings were generally older than the overall dwelling stock. Only 6% of all dwellings were built before 1919 compared with 21% of vacant dwellings which could be matched to the BER data. Furthermore, only 11% of all dwellings were built between 1919 and 1960 compared with 23% of vacant dwellings. Dwellings built since 2001 accounted for 40% of all dwellings but only 21% of those which were vacant (See Figure 2.5).