England · Council tax data

Homes left empty after a death

Name: Council Taxbase: Local Authority Level Data for 2025
Creator: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)
Published: 2026-01-21
License: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

England’s councils recorded 124,064 homes with a Class F council tax exemption on 6 October 2025. Explore the figures for your council and how the national total has changed.

From Council Taxbase: Local Authority Level Data for 2025, published by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Class F homes in England: 124,064
Per 1,000 dwellings: 4.81
Councils covered: 296

England’s Class F homes over time

Annual snapshots from 2015 to 2025. These figures show homes with a recorded exemption at each snapshot, rather than deaths or new probate applications during the year.

Source: MHCLG national exemption tables. Underlying spreadsheet values are converted from thousands into whole dwellings; the source’s displayed cells are rounded.

Read the annual figures

Annual England Class F exemption counts
Year	Class F homes
2015	76,575
2016	75,982
2017	79,515
2018	87,893
2019	89,301
2020	110,472
2021	110,654
2022	121,900
2023	135,698
2024	132,883
2025	124,064

Councils with the most Class F homes

Counts show the number of recorded exemptions. Rates account for the size of each council’s dwelling stock. These rankings do not measure council performance or how long probate takes.

The 20 highest counts

Class F homes

Birmingham2,106
Cornwall1,808
North Yorkshire1,707
Somerset1,578
Sheffield1,520
Liverpool1,291
Buckinghamshire1,271
Dorset1,270
Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole1,220
Leeds1,133
Wiltshire1,107
Manchester1,047
Bromley1,030
Cheshire East978
Sefton945
Wirral943
West Northamptonshire914
Shropshire906
East Riding of Yorkshire888
Cheshire West and Chester881

The 20 highest rates

Class F homes per 1,000 dwellings

Adur9.29
Rother9.09
Worthing9.05
Derbyshire Dales8.71
Mole Valley8.17
Eastbourne7.77
North Somerset7.73
Havant7.67
Teignbridge7.65
Castle Point7.56
Thanet7.39
Bexley7.31
Gedling7.31
Lewes7.30
Tendring7.28
Sefton7.18
Bromley7.16
Broxbourne7.04
Chichester7.01
Torbay6.96

Rankings use unrounded rates; equal values are ordered alphabetically.

Every council in England

Class F exemptions on 6 October 2025. Each council name links to its row, so you can share a local result.

Download the council CSV

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296 of 296 councils shown

Class F homes, total dwellings on the valuation list and Class F homes per 1,000 dwellings by council
Council	Region	Class F homes	Dwellings	Per 1,000
AdurE07000223	South East	270	29,052	9.29
Amber ValleyE07000032	East Midlands	369	61,607	5.99
ArunE07000224	South East	535	79,934	6.69
AshfieldE07000170	East Midlands	286	58,214	4.91
AshfordE07000105	South East	286	59,505	4.81
BaberghE07000200	East of England	266	44,498	5.98
Barking and DagenhamE09000002	London	247	82,109	3.01
BarnetE09000003	London	740	160,919	4.60
BarnsleyE08000038	Yorkshire and the Humber	499	115,768	4.31
BasildonE07000066	East of England	380	80,300	4.73
Basingstoke and DeaneE07000084	South East	281	82,111	3.42
BassetlawE07000171	East Midlands	247	57,862	4.27
Bath and North East SomersetE06000022	South West	395	87,140	4.53
BedfordE06000055	East of England	425	81,154	5.24
BexleyE09000004	London	744	101,777	7.31
BirminghamE08000025	West Midlands	2,106	467,326	4.51
BlabyE07000129	East Midlands	275	44,906	6.12
Blackburn with DarwenE06000008	North West	264	64,249	4.11
BlackpoolE06000009	North West	415	72,697	5.71
BolsoverE07000033	East Midlands	128	39,112	3.27
BoltonE08000001	North West	602	129,231	4.66
BostonE07000136	East Midlands	128	32,069	3.99
Bournemouth Christchurch and PooleE06000058	South West	1,220	190,428	6.41
Bracknell ForestE06000036	South East	277	54,876	5.05
BradfordE08000032	Yorkshire and the Humber	534	224,156	2.38
BraintreeE07000067	East of England	297	71,235	4.17
BrecklandE07000143	East of England	301	66,313	4.54
BrentE09000005	London	654	135,596	4.82
BrentwoodE07000068	East of England	222	35,461	6.26
Brighton and HoveE06000043	South East	678	136,450	4.97
BristolE06000023	South West	836	213,229	3.92
BroadlandE07000144	East of England	373	63,068	5.91
BromleyE09000006	London	1,030	143,821	7.16
BromsgroveE07000234	West Midlands	201	43,250	4.65
BroxbourneE07000095	East of England	299	42,481	7.04
BroxtoweE07000172	East Midlands	227	52,336	4.34
BuckinghamshireE06000060	South East	1,271	239,022	5.32
BurnleyE07000117	North West	158	43,131	3.66
BuryE08000002	North West	581	85,593	6.79
CalderdaleE08000033	Yorkshire and the Humber	442	97,504	4.53
CambridgeE07000008	East of England	153	60,960	2.51
CamdenE09000007	London	355	114,039	3.11
Cannock ChaseE07000192	West Midlands	225	46,163	4.87
CanterburyE07000106	South East	472	72,443	6.52
Castle PointE07000069	East of England	300	39,681	7.56
Central BedfordshireE06000056	East of England	696	135,101	5.15
CharnwoodE07000130	East Midlands	457	79,859	5.72
ChelmsfordE07000070	East of England	306	82,180	3.72
CheltenhamE07000078	South West	319	57,592	5.54
CherwellE07000177	South East	311	72,509	4.29
Cheshire EastE06000049	North West	978	191,522	5.11
Cheshire West and ChesterE06000050	North West	881	167,250	5.27
ChesterfieldE07000034	East Midlands	350	51,401	6.81
ChichesterE07000225	South East	434	61,922	7.01
ChorleyE07000118	North West	307	53,332	5.76
City of LondonE09000001	London	18	8,070	2.23
ColchesterE07000071	East of England	404	86,826	4.65
CornwallE06000052	South West	1,808	287,777	6.28
CotswoldE07000079	South West	279	46,310	6.02
CoventryE08000026	West Midlands	682	153,743	4.44
CrawleyE07000226	South East	198	47,305	4.19
CroydonE09000008	London	644	168,851	3.81
CumberlandE06000063	North West	811	138,672	5.85
DacorumE07000096	East of England	325	68,247	4.76
DarlingtonE06000005	North East	247	53,848	4.59
DartfordE07000107	South East	202	50,731	3.98
DerbyE06000015	East Midlands	512	115,202	4.44
Derbyshire DalesE07000035	East Midlands	312	35,801	8.71
DoncasterE08000017	Yorkshire and the Humber	620	144,930	4.28
DorsetE06000059	South West	1,270	188,210	6.75
DoverE07000108	South East	379	56,174	6.75
DudleyE08000027	West Midlands	762	142,317	5.35
DurhamE06000047	North East	876	256,332	3.42
EalingE09000009	London	510	150,159	3.40
East CambridgeshireE07000009	East of England	172	41,665	4.13
East DevonE07000040	South West	521	75,355	6.91
East HampshireE07000085	South East	310	56,665	5.47
East HertfordshireE07000242	East of England	342	68,292	5.01
East LindseyE07000137	East Midlands	461	73,086	6.31
East Riding of YorkshireE06000011	Yorkshire and the Humber	888	167,384	5.31
East StaffordshireE07000193	West Midlands	243	56,514	4.30
East SuffolkE07000244	East of England	671	123,180	5.45
EastbourneE07000061	South East	388	49,920	7.77
EastleighE07000086	South East	335	61,617	5.44
ElmbridgeE07000207	South East	348	60,223	5.78
EnfieldE09000010	London	677	128,413	5.27
Epping ForestE07000072	East of England	319	58,697	5.43
Epsom and EwellE07000208	South East	180	33,307	5.40
ErewashE07000036	East Midlands	367	53,262	6.89
ExeterE07000041	South West	304	61,390	4.95
FarehamE07000087	South East	310	51,285	6.04
FenlandE07000010	East of England	216	48,372	4.47
Folkestone and HytheE07000112	South East	327	53,934	6.06
Forest of DeanE07000080	South West	236	41,014	5.75
FyldeE07000119	North West	277	41,802	6.63
GatesheadE08000037	North East	327	95,628	3.42
GedlingE07000173	East Midlands	406	55,576	7.31
GloucesterE07000081	South West	281	60,415	4.65
GosportE07000088	South East	250	37,881	6.60
GraveshamE07000109	South East	190	45,240	4.20
Great YarmouthE07000145	East of England	297	50,265	5.91
GreenwichE09000011	London	396	125,688	3.15
GuildfordE07000209	South East	276	62,715	4.40
HackneyE09000012	London	424	120,932	3.51
HaltonE06000006	North West	235	59,494	3.95
Hammersmith and FulhamE09000013	London	225	95,707	2.35
HarboroughE07000131	East Midlands	225	45,103	4.99
HaringeyE09000014	London	417	114,878	3.63
HarlowE07000073	East of England	117	40,580	2.88
HarrowE09000015	London	479	97,021	4.94
HartE07000089	South East	164	43,042	3.81
HartlepoolE06000001	North East	168	46,391	3.62
HastingsE07000062	South East	188	44,742	4.20
HavantE07000090	South East	440	57,399	7.67
HaveringE09000016	London	584	108,905	5.36
HerefordshireE06000019	West Midlands	580	90,637	6.40
HertsmereE07000098	East of England	228	45,993	4.96
High PeakE07000037	East Midlands	254	43,912	5.78
HillingdonE09000017	London	483	118,291	4.08
Hinckley and BosworthE07000132	East Midlands	269	52,949	5.08
HorshamE07000227	South East	342	66,864	5.11
HounslowE09000018	London	385	111,358	3.46
HuntingdonshireE07000011	East of England	397	84,172	4.72
HyndburnE07000120	North West	211	37,992	5.55
IpswichE07000202	East of England	271	62,630	4.33
Isle of WightE06000046	South East	285	73,250	3.89
Isles of ScillyE06000053	South West	0	1,168	0.00
IslingtonE09000019	London	176	112,418	1.57
Kensington and ChelseaE09000020	London	204	89,613	2.28
King's Lynn and West NorfolkE07000146	East of England	526	76,230	6.90
Kingston upon HullE06000010	Yorkshire and the Humber	437	125,509	3.48
Kingston upon ThamesE09000021	London	299	70,510	4.24
KirkleesE08000034	Yorkshire and the Humber	823	193,747	4.25
KnowsleyE08000011	North West	337	72,083	4.68
LambethE09000022	London	303	148,614	2.04
LancasterE07000121	North West	431	67,052	6.43
LeedsE08000035	Yorkshire and the Humber	1,133	377,799	3.00
LeicesterE06000016	East Midlands	508	145,438	3.49
LewesE07000063	South East	346	47,419	7.30
LewishamE09000023	London	539	134,367	4.01
LichfieldE07000194	West Midlands	260	49,529	5.25
LincolnE07000138	East Midlands	207	47,753	4.33
LiverpoolE08000012	North West	1,291	242,354	5.33
LutonE06000032	East of England	382	85,476	4.47
MaidstoneE07000110	South East	363	78,828	4.60
MaldonE07000074	East of England	158	30,625	5.16
Malvern HillsE07000235	West Midlands	230	38,892	5.91
ManchesterE08000003	North West	1,047	253,776	4.13
MansfieldE07000174	East Midlands	276	51,702	5.34
MedwayE06000035	South East	548	121,885	4.50
MeltonE07000133	East Midlands	171	25,323	6.75
MertonE09000024	London	358	87,854	4.07
Mid DevonE07000042	South West	244	38,735	6.30
Mid SuffolkE07000203	East of England	258	50,764	5.08
Mid SussexE07000228	South East	344	70,807	4.86
MiddlesbroughE06000002	North East	223	66,497	3.35
Milton KeynesE06000042	South East	407	127,272	3.20
Mole ValleyE07000210	South East	326	39,899	8.17
New ForestE07000091	South East	469	83,634	5.61
Newark and SherwoodE07000175	East Midlands	266	58,790	4.52
Newcastle upon TyneE08000021	North East	575	141,143	4.07
Newcastle-under-LymeE07000195	West Midlands	277	58,599	4.73
NewhamE09000025	London	317	132,941	2.38
North DevonE07000043	South West	289	49,497	5.84
North East DerbyshireE07000038	East Midlands	263	49,107	5.36
North East LincolnshireE06000012	Yorkshire and the Humber	347	75,907	4.57
North HertfordshireE07000099	East of England	290	60,145	4.82
North KestevenE07000139	East Midlands	305	55,499	5.50
North LincolnshireE06000013	Yorkshire and the Humber	328	78,273	4.19
North NorfolkE07000147	East of England	331	56,783	5.83
North NorthamptonshireE06000061	East Midlands	551	162,134	3.40
North SomersetE06000024	South West	791	102,305	7.73
North TynesideE08000022	North East	406	102,136	3.98
North WarwickshireE07000218	West Midlands	205	29,831	6.87
North West LeicestershireE07000134	East Midlands	227	49,429	4.59
North YorkshireE06000065	Yorkshire and the Humber	1,707	306,907	5.56
NorthumberlandE06000057	North East	784	163,043	4.81
NorwichE07000148	East of England	264	69,271	3.81
NottinghamE06000018	East Midlands	622	147,850	4.21
Nuneaton and BedworthE07000219	West Midlands	308	61,819	4.98
Oadby and WigstonE07000135	East Midlands	166	24,634	6.74
OldhamE08000004	North West	498	99,072	5.03
OxfordE07000178	South East	278	63,874	4.35
PendleE07000122	North West	184	41,707	4.41
PeterboroughE06000031	East of England	283	91,624	3.09
PlymouthE06000026	South West	565	123,424	4.58
PortsmouthE06000044	South East	390	94,166	4.14
PrestonE07000123	North West	276	70,491	3.92
ReadingE06000038	South East	280	77,375	3.62
RedbridgeE09000026	London	449	108,226	4.15
Redcar and ClevelandE06000003	North East	338	66,805	5.06
RedditchE07000236	West Midlands	140	37,981	3.69
Reigate and BansteadE07000211	South East	407	64,989	6.26
Ribble ValleyE07000124	North West	130	29,818	4.36
Richmond upon ThamesE09000027	London	380	85,827	4.43
RochdaleE08000005	North West	476	98,159	4.85
RochfordE07000075	East of England	240	38,458	6.24
RossendaleE07000125	North West	138	32,918	4.19
RotherE07000064	South East	427	46,986	9.09
RotherhamE08000018	Yorkshire and the Humber	512	122,627	4.18
RugbyE07000220	West Midlands	268	52,264	5.13
RunnymedeE07000212	South East	223	39,584	5.63
RushcliffeE07000176	East Midlands	310	55,488	5.59
RushmoorE07000092	South East	183	42,969	4.26
RutlandE06000017	East Midlands	104	18,227	5.71
SalfordE08000006	North West	368	137,468	2.68
SandwellE08000028	West Midlands	599	136,902	4.38
SeftonE08000014	North West	945	131,628	7.18
SevenoaksE07000111	South East	341	52,769	6.46
SheffieldE08000039	Yorkshire and the Humber	1,520	262,909	5.78
ShropshireE06000051	West Midlands	906	152,932	5.92
SloughE06000039	South East	255	57,371	4.44
SolihullE08000029	West Midlands	650	96,017	6.77
SomersetE06000066	South West	1,578	272,621	5.79
South CambridgeshireE07000012	East of England	320	74,843	4.28
South DerbyshireE07000039	East Midlands	247	51,225	4.82
South GloucestershireE06000025	South West	552	129,240	4.27
South HamsE07000044	South West	308	47,938	6.42
South HollandE07000140	East Midlands	267	45,098	5.92
South KestevenE07000141	East Midlands	303	67,702	4.48
South NorfolkE07000149	East of England	340	68,036	5.00
South OxfordshireE07000179	South East	366	67,391	5.43
South RibbleE07000126	North West	262	52,570	4.98
South StaffordshireE07000196	West Midlands	260	49,446	5.26
South TynesideE08000023	North East	382	73,092	5.23
SouthamptonE06000045	South East	420	111,471	3.77
Southend-on-SeaE06000033	East of England	524	83,329	6.29
SouthwarkE09000028	London	388	150,537	2.58
SpelthorneE07000213	South East	244	44,875	5.44
St AlbansE07000240	East of England	311	63,576	4.89
St HelensE08000013	North West	453	86,313	5.25
StaffordE07000197	West Midlands	323	64,335	5.02
Staffordshire MoorlandsE07000198	West Midlands	302	45,252	6.67
StevenageE07000243	East of England	160	38,694	4.14
StockportE08000007	North West	693	133,650	5.19
Stockton-on-TeesE06000004	North East	446	91,024	4.90
Stoke-on-TrentE06000021	West Midlands	496	119,944	4.14
Stratford-on-AvonE07000221	West Midlands	356	67,798	5.25
StroudE07000082	South West	350	57,200	6.12
SunderlandE08000024	North East	520	134,845	3.86
Surrey HeathE07000214	South East	179	38,716	4.62
SuttonE09000029	London	368	86,425	4.26
SwaleE07000113	South East	370	67,541	5.48
SwindonE06000030	South West	503	102,479	4.91
TamesideE08000008	North West	468	105,874	4.42
TamworthE07000199	West Midlands	155	35,158	4.41
TandridgeE07000215	South East	256	38,310	6.68
TeignbridgeE07000045	South West	501	65,502	7.65
Telford and WrekinE06000020	West Midlands	289	85,083	3.40
TendringE07000076	East of England	555	76,248	7.28
Test ValleyE07000093	South East	274	58,993	4.64
TewkesburyE07000083	South West	250	46,558	5.37
ThanetE07000114	South East	519	70,277	7.39
Three RiversE07000102	East of England	237	39,177	6.05
ThurrockE06000034	East of England	275	70,399	3.91
Tonbridge and MallingE07000115	South East	258	57,879	4.46
TorbayE06000027	South West	479	68,868	6.96
TorridgeE07000046	South West	202	34,668	5.83
Tower HamletsE09000030	London	160	150,608	1.06
TraffordE08000009	North West	571	104,404	5.47
Tunbridge WellsE07000116	South East	276	53,066	5.20
UttlesfordE07000077	East of England	172	40,948	4.20
Vale of White HorseE07000180	South East	302	64,847	4.66
WakefieldE08000036	Yorkshire and the Humber	747	165,267	4.52
WalsallE08000030	West Midlands	610	118,719	5.14
Waltham ForestE09000031	London	405	111,082	3.65
WandsworthE09000032	London	385	158,487	2.43
WarringtonE06000007	North West	425	97,422	4.36
WarwickE07000222	West Midlands	340	69,979	4.86
WatfordE07000103	East of England	171	43,472	3.93
WaverleyE07000216	South East	335	57,835	5.79
WealdenE07000065	South East	508	75,482	6.73
Welwyn HatfieldE07000241	East of England	293	50,959	5.75
West BerkshireE06000037	South East	338	72,322	4.67
West DevonE07000047	South West	166	27,543	6.03
West LancashireE07000127	North West	242	52,977	4.57
West LindseyE07000142	East Midlands	223	46,950	4.75
West NorthamptonshireE06000062	East Midlands	914	186,485	4.90
West OxfordshireE07000181	South East	249	54,237	4.59
West SuffolkE07000245	East of England	353	84,664	4.17
WestminsterE09000033	London	328	132,419	2.48
Westmorland and FurnessE06000064	North West	735	117,938	6.23
WiganE08000010	North West	767	153,853	4.99
WiltshireE06000054	South West	1,107	233,409	4.74
WinchesterE07000094	South East	286	59,149	4.84
Windsor and MaidenheadE06000040	South East	351	67,663	5.19
WirralE08000015	North West	943	152,283	6.19
WokingE07000217	South East	199	44,681	4.45
WokinghamE06000041	South East	337	75,260	4.48
WolverhamptonE08000031	West Midlands	549	114,105	4.81
WorcesterE07000237	West Midlands	173	48,039	3.60
WorthingE07000229	South East	471	52,035	9.05
WychavonE07000238	West Midlands	325	62,489	5.20
WyreE07000128	North West	325	56,234	5.78
Wyre ForestE07000239	West Midlands	300	49,217	6.10
YorkE06000014	Yorkshire and the Humber	490	93,845	5.22

Dwellings means all homes on the valuation list, including exempt homes. Rates use the unrounded counts. The CSV retains region codes and the source dates.

What does Class F mean?

Class F is the council tax exemption for qualifying homes left unoccupied after someone dies. It is part of the Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992, as amended.

For an empty home owned by the person who died, GOV.UK explains that the exemption can apply before probate is granted. After probate or letters of administration, it can continue for up to 6 months while the home remains unoccupied and has not been sold or transferred to beneficiaries.

The exemption ends when the qualifying conditions stop being met, for example if someone moves in or the property is sold or transferred. The post-grant exemption also ends when its time limit is reached. Ask the council to confirm eligibility and the end date for the particular property.

A separate exception from a council tax premium does not by itself remove the ordinary council tax bill. The Class F figures here count exemptions, not premium exceptions.

Sources: GOV.UK’s empty-property guidance and MHCLG’s guidance on probate and council tax premiums.

Looking after an empty house as an executor

Use these practical checks for the individual property. The council figures above cannot establish its exemption, insurance cover or value.

Council tax

Contact the council about Class F and record the grant date and any change in occupation or ownership. Read our guide to council tax when someone dies.

Insurance for an unoccupied property

Tell the insurer about the death and that the house is unoccupied. Ask it to confirm the cover and any inspection, heating or security conditions. GOV.UK lists insurance providers among the organisations to contact after a death.

A date-of-death valuation

The relevant figure is the property’s open market value at the date of death. See HMRC’s property valuation guidance and our probate property valuation guide.

Clearing the contents

Before arranging clearance, make a record of the contents and decide what needs valuing or keeping. For help planning the work, read House Clearance Cost’s guidance.

Sources, calculation and limitations

Publisher: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Dataset: Council Taxbase: Local Authority Level Data for 2025.

Release used: 21 January 2026. Originally published 6 November 2025. Imported 5 October 2026.

Exemptions are a snapshot on 6 October 2025, using dwellings on the valuation list at 10 September 2025. We join the Class F column to the total dwellings column by ONS council code. The denominator includes exempt homes; it is not the adjusted Band D tax base or just chargeable dwellings.

Rate calculation: Class F homes ÷ total dwellings on the valuation list × 1,000. Displayed rates are rounded; rankings use the full calculation.

England only. These are council tax exemption records, not a count of probate cases, deaths, properties for sale or completed sales. They do not measure how long each home has been empty.
Councils’ reporting and review practices can affect comparisons. MHCLG reports that reviews and awareness of exemptions affect figures. Its technical notes also identify differences in how some councils split empty-home premium categories; that warning concerns premium categories, rather than a different Class F definition.
The VOA system change left more new properties awaiting registration than in earlier years. This affects the valuation-list dwelling stock used for rates.
The trend contains annual national snapshots. It cannot explain why totals changed or establish the speed of estate administration.

Read the statistical release and technical notes for dates, coverage and reporting caveats.

Downloads: local-authority workbook and Council Taxbase 2025: Tables 1 - 5. The council totals reconcile with England, and the final trend observation reconciles with the council workbook.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Read the licence.