Empty Property: Greater London
Lords · Question HL14317 · Tabled 4 Feb 2026 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government · Official record
Answered 17 Feb 2026
Question
Asked by Lord Wigley
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to take steps to ensure that new buildings in central London that have been empty for over six months can be acquired by the Government and used for social or economic purposes.
Answer
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, 17 Feb 2026
The government wants to see more empty homes brought back into use across the country.Local authorities have strong powers and incentives to tackle empty homes. They have the discretionary powers to charge additional council tax on properties which have b...