Wales now has the highest percentage of vacant and second homes in the UK, according to new research from Compare My Move — with Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire all ranking in the top half of the national league table.
The findings show that 8.71% of homes in Wales are either second homes with no usual residents or completely vacant — edging ahead of London (8.69%) and well above the UK average. Four Welsh counties feature in the UK’s top 10 emptiest areas, including Gwynedd, Ceredigion, Denbighshire, and the Isle of Anglesey.
Despite efforts by local councils to curb second-home ownership through council tax premiums, the data suggests the problem is far from solved.
📊 Swansea: 0.8% second homes, 7.6% vacant dwellings — 8.4% combined
📊 Carmarthenshire: 0.9% second homes, 7.7% vacant dwellings — 8.6% combined
📊 Pembrokeshire: 3.7% second homes, 10.2% vacant dwellings — 13.9% combined
Tax hikes, but little slowdown
In recent years, councils across South West Wales have introduced steep council tax premiums to discourage second-home ownership:
- Pembrokeshire Council voted to impose a 200% premium on second homes earlier this year
- Neath Port Talbot Council is considering a doubling of council tax for empty properties and second homes
- Across Wales, councils have collectively raised £12.5 million in extra council tax from second homes and vacant properties1
But Compare My Move’s managing director Dave Sayce warns that even with these measures, the trend may continue.
“Wales is a very attractive area for second-home buyers due to its lower house prices,” he said. “Even with tax implications, we’re not convinced we’ll see a reduction in the percentage of homes sitting empty most of the year.”
West vs East: A widening divide
The data also highlights a stark east-west divide. Counties in West Wales — with lower average house prices — are seeing higher rates of second-home ownership and vacancy. In contrast, areas like Bridgend, Caerphilly, and Torfaen report the lowest combined rates.
“Lower prices and cost of living make West Wales attractive to outside buyers,” Sayce added. “But that pushes up local prices and makes it harder for residents to get on the property ladder.”
Full Welsh league table: Vacant and second homes combined
| Rank | County | Combined % | House Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gwynedd | 19.2% | £228,706 |
| 2 | Ceredigion | 15.9% | £257,318 |
| 3 | Denbighshire | 15.9% | £220,316 |
| 4 | Isle of Anglesey | 14.9% | £260,452 |
| 5 | Pembrokeshire | 13.9% | £251,482 |
| 6 | Powys | 10.0% | £273,537 |
| 7 | Conwy | 9.9% | £245,114 |
| 8 | Carmarthenshire | 8.6% | £218,785 |
| 9 | Swansea | 8.4% | £210,920 |
| 10 | Blaenau Gwent | 7.7% | £156,614 |
| … | Neath Port Talbot | 6.1% | £176,619 |
| … | Bridgend | 4.9% | £246,019 |
With a 31% rise in people moving from England to Wales in the first half of 2025, the pressure on housing stock is only expected to grow.
