Key Points

As of 31st March 2025:

• There were 327,746 local authority housing stock units, an increase compared to March 2024 (+7.0%, +2,269). There were 9,827 local authority housing stock units vacant, a decrease compared to the previous year (-16%, -1,924 units).
• In total, 3.0% of the total local authority stock was vacant, however this includes stock that will be demolished or cannot be currently let as it needs modernisation.
• Out of the total stock, 1.7% (5,102) of normal use (permanent lettings) stock was vacant, 9.2% (765) of stock used for temporary accommodation for homeless households was vacant, 2.7% (431) of stock in low demand areas was vacant. The majority of stock earmarked for demolition (99.5%) and modernisation (95.7%) was vacant.
• The total vacancy rate in March 2025 decreased when compared to the previous year (3.6% to 3.0%). Normal use of stock vacancy rate (excluding Edinburgh) has also decreased when compared to the previous year (1.9% to 1.6%). In 2025, including Edinburgh for the first time, the normal vacant stock rate was 1.7%.
• The total vacancy rate in 2025 was highest in Aberdeen City (9.9%) and in Perth and Kinross (0%) as they reported no vacant stock followed by Moray (1.1%). Most vacant stock in Renfrewshire is earmarked for demolition (56%). There was no vacant stock reported in Perth and Kinross.
• The highest vacancy rate for normal use stock was in Aberdeen City (7.9%), the rate has increased since 2020 (2.0%) and stock is vacant for longer. The lowest vacancy rate for normal use stock was in Perth and Kinross with (0%) as they reported no vacant stock followed by North Ayrshire (0.4%).
• Numerically, Edinburgh saw the largest annual decrease in vacant stock (-601 units; -47.2%) and Highland saw the largest annual increase in vacant stock (102 units; 37.5%).