In line with the Rates (Northern Ireland) Order 1977, housing stock is defined as a count of properties which are valued as domestic or mixed for the purposes of rating. This refers to properties in the Valuation list at the start of each financial year which are used (or when next in use, will be used) for the purposes of a private dwelling. This excludes caravans, domestic garages, domestic stores and car parking spaces. Private refers to a self contained dwelling and not the ownership or build type of the dwelling. Housing stock includes both social and private sector dwellings in the Valuation list.