Notes and definitions for stock data

For definition of a dwelling, type of dwelling, tenure and general definition of a household see Definition of general housing terms .

Dwelling stock

Estimates of the total dwelling stock, stock changes and the tenure distribution for each country are made by Communities and Local Government, the Scottish Executive, the National Assembly for Wales, and NI Department for Social Development. These are primarily based on census output data for the number of dwellings (or households converted to dwellings) from the Censuses of Population for Great Britain. Estimates for England have been updated based on the 2001 Census.

Stock calculation for England

Census years' figures are based on outputs from each census. In between census years, the total figures are obtained by projecting the base census year's figure forward yearly.

The increment is based on the annual total number of completions plus the annual total net gain or losses due to other housing flows statistics that is conversions, demolitions and change of use (see Live Table 111). The series from 1991 to 2001 has been adjusted to meet the 2001 Census estimates.

Estimates of dwelling stock by tenure category are primarily based on the census except in the situation where it is considered that for some specific tenure information, there are other more accurate sources. In this situation, it is assumed that the other data sources contain vacant dwellings also but it is not certain and it is not expected that these data are very precise. Thus the allocation of vacant dwellings to tenure categories may not be completely accurate. This means that the margin of error for tenure categories is wider than for estimates of total stock.

How each tenure category data was derived

Total stock is derived from the 2001 Census benchmark and extrapolated forward using gains and losses of stock figures in the subsequent years. Gains are related to house building completions (data source P2Q & NHBC returns to Communities and Local Government), net conversions, change of use, and from April 1997, non -permanent dwellings are also included. Losses are due to slum clearance, other demolitions, change of use and losses of non-permanent dwellings. Other than housebuilding the data source for these housing flows items is the Housing Flows Reconciliation (HFR) return from local authorities, effective since 2000/01.
The totals for the local authority stock are collected directly from authorities by the Department on the Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (previously known as the HIP) return. Vacant dwellings are included. These local authorities own figures for the stock of their dwellings are used in preference to rolling forward the census figures as they include vacants as well as adjustments for council house sales and Large Scale Voluntary Transfers. Similarly, figures for the Registered Social Landlords stock (housing association and local housing companies) are collected from Housing Associations (HA) by the Housing Corporation on their Regulatory Statistical Returns (RSR).
The figures for privately rented stock are based on the Census benchmark extrapolated by changes in the proportion of private renters as shown by the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The calculation is done at a regional level and the LFS figures are smoothed to take account of sampling variability. The figures in the tables show the same general year to year movements in the size of the private rented sector as the LFS shows in the proportion of private renters. The figures include dwellings owned by other Government Departments e.g. Ministry of Defence which are insignificantly small in number (see end of section on Tenure in General Housing Terms).
The owner occupied stock is the residual of total stock and figures for the tenures above.

Stock calculation for England

Census years' figures are based on outputs from each census. In between census years, the total figures are obtained by projecting the base census year's figure forward yearly.

How each tenure category data was derived

Total stock is derived from the 2001 Census benchmark and extrapolated forward using gains and losses of stock figures in the subsequent years. Gains are related to house building completions (data source P2Q & NHBC returns to Communities and Local Government), net conversions, change of use, and from April 1997, non -permanent dwellings are also included. Losses are due to slum clearance, other demolitions, change of use and losses of non-permanent dwellings. Other than housebuilding the data source for these housing flows items is the Housing Flows Reconciliation (HFR) return from local authorities, effective since 2000/01.
The totals for the local authority stock are collected directly from authorities by the Department on the Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (previously known as the HIP) return. Vacant dwellings are included. These local authorities own figures for the stock of their dwellings are used in preference to rolling forward the census figures as they include vacants as well as adjustments for council house sales and Large Scale Voluntary Transfers. Similarly, figures for the Registered Social Landlords stock (housing association and local housing companies) are collected from Housing Associations (HA) by the Housing Corporation on their Regulatory Statistical Returns (RSR).
The figures for privately rented stock are based on the Census benchmark extrapolated by changes in the proportion of private renters as shown by the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The calculation is done at a regional level and the LFS figures are smoothed to take account of sampling variability. The figures in the tables show the same general year to year movements in the size of the private rented sector as the LFS shows in the proportion of private renters. The figures include dwellings owned by other Government Departments e.g. Ministry of Defence which are insignificantly small in number (see end of section on Tenure in General Housing Terms).
The owner occupied stock is the residual of total stock and figures for the tenures above.

Vacants stock data

Total vacants

Total vacants at district level are collected from Council Tax returns, HSSA and Census. We intend to publish the data, once ratified between these sources, sometime in the near future. At regional level, EHCS also provides estimates of the vacant stock by tenure and by market value. For long term vacants (ie empty for over 6 months), these are only available from Council Tax records at LA level.

Private sector vacants

Private sector (owner occupiers and private renters) vacant dwellings at district level are collected in the HSSA. Their figures should correspond to that reported by the LA for Council Tax purposes. They could also be deduced by subtracting the LA and RSL vacant figures from all tenure .

Vacant local authority dwellings

Currently HSSA is the source for this at district level, including long term vacants. In time this could be replaced by NROSH and the data could be at a lower level. Vacant dwellings in council ownership include dwellings closed for slum clearance. Closed dwellings are generally excluded from dwelling stock estimates as they are not habitable. Management vacants are dwellings ready for immediate letting, or which will be available after only minor repairs.

Vacant RSL dwellings

Currently figures at district level are based on data that is collected once a year from the annual Regulatory and Statistical Return (RSR) that the Housing Corporation sends out to all RSLs. In time this could be replaced by NROSH and the data could be at a lower level. NROSH would also be able to provide long term RSL vacant information which is missing at present.

Age or year built of dwelling stock by region

For Live Table 110, the age distribution of the stock is estimated from the Survey of English Housing (SEH), by asking householders when their home was built. The survey data reflects households rather than dwellings, but any differences will be negligible. Also, the age distribution will not include vacant dwellings. Like all surveys, the SEH is subject to random variation, but most estimates in this table will not vary by more than 1 or 2 percentage points from year to year as a result.

The English House Condition Survey (EHCS) also collects data on age of dwellings, including vacant dwellings, using nine age bands. EHCS surveyors, who are specially trained professional surveyors, assess the age of the property. However, for Live Table 110, SEH is preferred to the EHCS as the source because of its larger sample size. It is true that the EHCS is probably more accurate, because the year built is estimated by surveyors and is therefore more reliable than estimates provided by the household. However, since most of the tabulations of year built involve the use of very broad bands of years, the greater accuracy of the EHCS figures is considered less important than the larger SEH sample size. Also, it should be noted that the ONS' General Household Survey also captures information on the age of dwellings - but its sample size is about half that of the SEH. All of the detailed data from these sources can be obtained at the foot of this page.