Borough consults on planning measures to tackle 'buy-to-leave' properties

The problem is properties sold as investments, often marketed off-plan overseas, and left to stand empty, Islington Council said. The issue is especially acute in the south of the borough, near the City.

Islington said empty new homes were “wasted supply” and failing to contribute to the area’s need for new places to live.

The local authority has drafted planning measures that would require owners of new properties to ensure that they are occupied.

“The draft measures represent the first time a local authority has tried to tackle ‘buy-to-leave’ using planning powers,” Islington claimed.

The proposed measures – to apply to new rather than existing properties – would mean new homes could not be left unoccupied or unused for longer than three months, and would have to be occupied for at least 14 days in any three-month period.

“If a property is left unoccupied for more than three months, the council would be able to take legal action such as seeking an injunction from the High Court against the owner,” Islington said.

“Persistently breaking the injunction could lead to a fine, prison and even seizure of the empty property.”

Cllr James Murray, Islington's executive member for housing and development, said: "In Islington, as across London, there is a desperate shortage of housing. It's wrong when new homes sit there empty purely as investments, when Londoners are desperately trying to find somewhere to live.

"Our new proposals would make sure that all new homes in Islington are occupied – we want to send a message that ‘buy-to-leave’ is unacceptable."

Islington’s consultation, Preventing Wasted Housing Supply Supplementary Planning Document, runs until 30 January 2015. It can be viewed here.