Daily Mail Sat 21st 2006 on UK laws
New laws, which came into effect in the summer, mean a property left standing for long periods can be grabbed for the homeless.
In theory, local councils have the authority to break in, alter or refurbish it, and let it out to tenants of their choice.
The Halifax Bank has today published figures showing that there are 680,412 houses empty at any one time in England – 290,862 for more than six months.
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That might make some people think twice before buying a property abroad