Tessa Jowell, who is looking to be the next Labour Mayor of London, has pledged to tackle the problem of the capital’s empty homes.
Jowell plans to give local authorities the power to levy unlimited penalties on owners who leave properties empty for six months, and is also considering other proposals that would require such owners to live in the property, rent it out, or sell it.
“Absentee owners should live in the house they own or sell up – or face uncapped charges until they do,” Jowell said.
The Independent, p. 8
