Dwelling vacancy rate in Kilkenny rises as national rate decreases

Preliminary Census 2022 results have highlighted a hugely disproportionate increase in the number of vacant dwellings in Kilkenny.

The number of vacant dwellings in the county has increased by 6.3% since 2016, whereas nationally the number of vacant dwellings have dropped by 9%.

In total, 3,183 properties were vacant in Kilkenny on census night this year, compared to 2,995 in 2016.

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Reasons for this may include that dwellings were up for sale, for rent, undergoing renovation, or the owner may have been in hospital, or a nursing home.

Properties declared vacant by enumerators also include dwellings which were advertised on websites as being for rent, including short term lettings such as AirBnB.

At a time when long-term rental properties are so difficult to secure for tenants across the county, these new statistics make for interesting reading.

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A dwelling is classed as vacant if it is unoccupied on census night, is not used as a holiday home and is not usually inhabited by occupants who are temporarily absent at census time.

Dwellings under construction and derelict properties are also not included in the count.