ESEH FAQs

General

What is ESEH?

The Electronic Survey of Empty Homes (ESEH) is a system for collecting raw point data from local authorities' Council Tax administrative systems. The data will be collected in XML format by automated electronic data transfer.

Is it mandatory that our Local Authority use this system to provide empty homes data?

It is not mandatory to provide data on empty homes but it is a very high priority for the government to have consistent data on empty and second homes at the neighbourhood level.

From April 2007 these data will be collected in raw point data form; to reduce the burdens of data collection and validation and to improve the quality and consistency of data. The 2007 empty homes data collection will allow for either XML or CSV format uploads although XML is the government's preference. It is the intention to make XML the only option in 2008.

There is a strong additional incentive for local authorities to provide the data because it is of considerable value to them as a strategic resource for developing and monitoring their own Empty Homes Strategy. ESEH data can also be used to produce the annual CTB1 statistical return, further reducing the burden of data provision on the local authority.

Data Standards

What are the field definitions?

The data which are collected by ESEH are set out in the ESEH Data Collection Schema document as a list of thirty fields with Field Names, descriptive definitions of each field and the Allowable Entries which the system will allow for each field in data uploads. The latter gives for each field the field length, mix of characters and numeric ranges that data uploads must conform to. These are all consistent with the detail of the XML Schema itself. The current field definitions are contained in the ESEH Data Collection Schema document, Version 2.2.

What is the XML schema?

XML is the acronym for eXtensible Markup Language which is a world-wide standard format for transfer of bulk data and which is used across government. It is specified in the eGovernment Interoperability Framework (eGIF), which seeks to ensure greater efficiency in the electronic transfer of data within and between government agencies by making sure that all agencies use the same convention to format their data.

The background to the ESEH Schema and diagrams of its structure are provided in the ESEH Data Collection Schema document. The XML Schema itself is a technical document which specifies how the data must be conformed in order to successfully load onto the Communities and Local Government database. The current version is 2.2. The background and the ESEH Data Collection Schema document may be viewed or downloaded.

Producing the data file

How do I produce a file?

You will need a procedure for identifying the data from your Council Tax Administrative system that is needed for ESEH and placing them into the appropriate ESEH XML Schema format. Suppliers of Council Tax system software will produce modules that will do this for you as part of their system upgrade programme. If you use an external supplier you should contact them to arrange to install this module on your system. If you do not use an external software supplier you will need to use your in-house technical IT expertise to develop your own extract and data mapping procedure.

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Submission of data

How do I send data?

When you have produced your first XML output file it should be sent via the Interform system which can be found at:

http://interform.communities.gov.uk

You will need a username and password to access the system and user guidance. If you do not already have these please contact the ESEH Helpdesk

How much data should I send?

Raw empty dwellings data uploads, in XML format, must contain a record for every taxable domestic unit on the Council Tax Register at any point during the preceding financial year e.g.1st April 2006 to 31st March 2007. CSV data uploads are simply a snapshot of the records on the Register as at 1 April each year (annually). The upload should include a valid entry for every field, even if it is a null entry.

When should I send it?

You should send all housing stock position data held at 1 April. You should aim to provide it as soon as you can after that date. All local authorities should have submitted their data by the end of May at the latest.

How often should I send it?

Once a year for the Empty Homes Survey. The same upload can also be used to produce the CTB1 statistical return in November. This method of producing the CTB1 Returns is being tested in November 2007. Local authorities interested in piloting this approach should contact the ESEH Helpdesk.

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Benefits of providing ESEH data

Reduced burden of vacant dwellings survey on Local Authorities
Reduced burden of validation on the Department
Improved data quality
Timely production of statistics
Potential for producing annual CTB return data
Meets the Office for National Statistics new standards for geography
Ability to produce statistics for any geographical areas including very small areas
Standardised point data that can be joined up with other information such as tenure or Council Tax band for analysis
Mapping on an Ordnance Survey base to identify hotspots
Time series analysis at local level (e.g. neighbourhood) to identify areas of rapid increase or reduction in vacancy rates
Ability to carry out cluster analysis

Contact details

Who do I contact in Communities and Local Government for information on ESEH?

For further background information or help in submitting your data please contact the ESEH Helpdesk at the following email address stating the nature of query within the subject line.

Email us: vacant.dwellings@communities.gsi.gov.uk