Croydon Council’s voids stay empty longer, 417 homes still vacant
Average re‑let time rose to 206 days while over 8,300 families wait for social housing and 3,269 households remain in temporary accommodation.
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Uses named resident Les Parry and council figures from a cited deep‑dive report, with dates and sources identified.
Higher is stronger
Explains housing impact, quotes residents and council, provides specific data, and outlines upcoming board meeting.
Higher is stronger
Headline matches article content; language is factual with mild critical tone.
Lower is better
Croydon Council missed its quarterly re‑let target, leaving 417 council homes empty and extending the average void period to 206 days in the first quarter of 2026/27. The council completed only 36 re‑lets while receiving an average of 40 new empty homes each month, well short of the 60‑unit target. The void backlog includes 207 properties needing standard repairs, 141 requiring major structural work, and 31 in a pre‑works inspection phase.
Repair backlog drives longer voids
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The deep‑dive report presented to the Housing Assurance Board on 14 September highlighted that the repair backlog is a key factor in the lengthening turnaround. Les Parry, a resident and member of the Housing Assurance Board, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that voids and temporary accommodation have become “the poor relation” of the council’s housing service. He added that tenant satisfaction sits at 53 per cent, indicating that nearly half of households are dissatisfied with current provisions.
“One example is voids and temporary accommodation. This has been a poor relation to other services such as responsive repairs, which is improving.”
Les Parry, Housing Assurance Board member
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Impact on applicants and temporary accommodation
More than 8,300 applicants remain on Croydon’s housing register waiting for social or affordable homes. As of July 2026, 3,269 households were living in temporary accommodation while they await permanent housing. The council’s spokesperson said that returning empty homes to use quickly helps reduce reliance on temporary accommodation and limits rent loss for the authority.
Council response and next steps
A council spokesperson told the LDRS that a new void standard has been developed to ensure homes are returned in good condition and ready for new tenants as quickly as possible. The spokesperson confirmed that an improvement plan is in place and that the Housing Assurance Board will review progress at its next meeting on 14 September. Members of the public are invited to attend the meeting to hear updates and ask questions.
Questions this report answers
+How many council homes are currently vacant in Croydon?
Croydon Council reported that 417 council homes were vacant and awaiting return to tenants in the first quarter of 2026/27. The vacancy figure includes properties needing repairs, major structural work, or still in pre‑works inspections.
+What is the average time to re‑let a void property now?
The average time to re‑let a void rose to 206 days in Q1 2026/27, up from 130 days in the 2024/25 period. The longer turnaround reflects a repair backlog and slower processing of vacant homes.
+How many households are living in temporary accommodation?
As of July 2026, 3,269 households were living in temporary accommodation while they await a permanent home. This figure highlights the pressure on emergency housing while council homes remain empty.
+What does the council plan to do about the void backlog?
The council says it has introduced a new void standard and an improvement plan aimed at speeding up repairs and re‑lettings. Progress will be reviewed by the Housing Assurance Board at its meeting on 14 September, which the public can attend.
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