Around 1,800 private homes in Carmarthenshire are sitting empty for six months or more, even as more than 3,500 households wait for a home in the county. The figures, from a council report, highlight a stark mismatch between housing supply and demand.
Empty Properties and Waiting Lists
At the end of March 2026, there were 1,805 empty private homes logged by Carmarthenshire Council based on council tax and revenue data. If all were occupied, 4,061 people could be housed, based on the average Welsh household size of 2.25 people. Meanwhile, the council has 3,561 households on its waiting list, including council tenants seeking transfers. Demand is especially high for affordable one- and two-bedroom properties.
Council Tax Premiums to Discourage Emptiness
Owners face increasing council tax premiums for leaving properties empty: 50% extra after one year, 100% after two to five years, and 200% for longer. Despite this, some homes remain vacant for decades. Tyisha councillor Terry Davies said at a homes and regeneration scrutiny committee meeting that some properties in his Llanelli ward have been empty “for decades” and expressed concern that not all empty homes are on the council’s list.
Council officer Gareth Williams said his team relies on council tax notifications to identify homes empty for six months, but added: “As officers we are not always privy to local intelligence and that’s really important when we are trying to establish ownership details for these properties.” He noted that the council intervenes when empty properties attract anti-social behaviour or pose a public health risk.
Council Efforts to Bring Homes Back into Use
Carmarthenshire had 88,473 homes at the time of the 2021 census, 75% owner-occupied. It is the fourth most populous county in Wales and has the third highest number of empty homes chargeable for council tax, behind Swansea and Rhondda Cynon Taf, according to Welsh Government data. The council aims to reduce empty private homes through measures including working with families of owners in care, buying empty houses, administering loans and grants, and taking enforcement action against neglected properties.
A committee report revealed that 246 empty private homes were brought back into use during 2025-26 through direct intervention, far exceeding expectations. The housing team prioritises advice and engagement but will pursue enforcement against owners who do not respond or make meaningful progress.
