With more than 359,000 homes sitting empty for more than six months across the UK, the report said this causes social, economic and environmental damage

The UK needs to take urgent action on long-term empty properties, according to trade body Propertymark.

Propertymark has published a paper setting out plans to bring long-term empty properties back into use.

With more than 359,000 homes sitting empty for more than six months across the UK, the report said this causes social, economic and environmental damage and sets out recommendations for governments and local authorities.

Propertymark said: At a time of acute housing pressures, every long-term empty home represents a missed opportunity to provide safe, secure accommodation for individuals and families.

The report said empty properties can accelerate neighbourhood decline, attract anti-social behaviour, increase maintenance and security risks, and reduce neighbouring property values.

For landlords and property agents, prolonged vacancy also means lost income, ongoing financial liabilities and mounting repair costs.

While financial penalties such as council tax premiums are designed to discourage vacancy, Propertymark warns they are often a blunt instrument that can further deter owners from investing in bringing properties back into use.

Propertymark said there have been some successful initiatives, including the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, which has helped return more than 43,000 properties to use since 2010.

It also highlighted the work of Leeds City Council’s Empty Homes Doctor service, which gives support to property owners and has helped cut long-term vacancy level.

Propertymark also recommends that Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs) be reformed to allow earlier intervention, while ensuring consultation with qualified property agents to speed up the return of stock to the market.

Propertymark head of policy and campaigns Timothy Douglas said: Long-term empty properties are a visible reminder of a system that is not working as effectively as it should. At a time when housing demand continues to outstrip supply, leaving hundreds of thousands of homes unused is neither economically nor socially sustainable.

Our research shows that while governments across the UK have introduced a range of measures, too many local authorities lack the dedicated resources, funding and strategic framework needed to deliver meaningful change, he said.

He said: Financial penalties alone will not solve the problem. What works is sustained local engagement, professional advice, and properly funded empty homes teams that can support owners through the process of bringing properties back into use.