A significant portion of UK residents are witnessing an increase in empty or derelict properties in their local areas, according to a survey by Market Financial Solutions (MFS).
The survey, involving 2,000 adults, indicates that 58% have noticed more vacant commercial properties on high streets over the past five years, and 25% report an increase in empty houses on their streets since 2018.
Furthermore, 63% believe repurposing these buildings is key to addressing the UK’s housing shortage.
Paresh Raja, CEO of MFS, said: “Our research shines a light on a crucial societal issue: the prevalence of empty and derelict properties across the UK.
“Given the country’s longstanding housing shortage, it is an issue that the Housing Minister Lee Rowley must put high on their priority list.
“Most Britons would like to see more proactive government action to ensure derelict properties are renovated and put back onto the market.
“However, the responsibility should not rest solely on the public sector. The private sector, including lenders, developers, and investors, plays a crucial role in transforming these properties and boosting the UK’s housing stock.”
