The number of empty homes across England has risen for the second consecutive year to more than 216,000, the highest level since 2012, according to official figures.
The number of long-term vacant properties – those empty for at least six months – rose by 5.3% to 216,186 in the 12 months to October, according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. It is the highest level since 2012, when 254,059 properties were unoccupied.
The rise compares with a 2.6% increase the previous year – before that, the number of empty homes had fallen every year since 2008.
