There are now more than 700,000 empty homes, according to the most recent government figures. Of those, 264,884 are classed as "long-term empty", meaning no one has lived there for six months or more.
The number of vacant properties in England is rising, causing problems for residents and councils.
www.bbc.co.uk
So the other 4351,116 in your 700,000 number are in the process of being sold then or something as they are under 6 months empty.
And that BBC report headlines with
I live in a peaceful corner of Bristol. But the house next door is empty and full of rats
When clearly is business premises or factory of some sort bu not a house.