The 2021 Census records 7.2% of homes in the city as unoccupied, which is a significant increase over the previous 2011 Census figure of 4.2%. However, the 2021 figures may have been affected by impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
More recent 2022 Council Tax data indicates around 5,700 or 4.4% of homes in Brighton & Hove are vacant or second homes. Both Census and Council Tax data indicate the highest concentrations tend to be in central areas of the city, particularly Regency ward.
2021 Census data for second addresses in Brighton & Hove records only 500 homes used as a holiday home for more than 30 days per year. This is only a small proportion (5%) of all second addresses and fairly similar to the proportion at national and regional levels.
Data from online websites such as AirBnB suggests that 2,218 entire homes are being used for short term lets which equates to about 1.7% of all dwellings in the city.
It is difficult to identify any specific impacts from second homes on services in the city (for example the number of school age children is not falling in these areas faster than in the rest of the city).
Based on available data, there is insufficient evidence to support introducing a ‘Principal Residence Policy’ across the city as a whole, however the position should continue to be monitored through Council Tax data and other means.
The government is proposing introducing a registration scheme for short term holiday lets. This would help the council better understand and monitor the number and location of short term lets in the city.
The government has also recently consulted on proposals to introduce a separate Use Class for short term lets. However, the consultation also proposed introducing permitted development rights to allow change from residential use to short term lets without planning permission.
This would therefore necessitate introducing an Article 4 direction if the council wished to control loss of residential use to letting.