Sentimental homeowners leaving treasured properties lying empty

Having an emotional attachment to a family property is one of the top reasons that properties are left empty but not put on the market, a report has revealed.

Nicola Barclay urged action to relieve housing pressure. Picture: Neil Hanna

Two other reasons for properties becoming empty, as 27,000 are in Scotland, are fear of the responsibilities of being a landlord, and waiting for a rise in property prices, according to the study from Shelter.

Meanwhile, housing and professional bodies have called for politicians to tackle the housing crisis.

In an open letter ahead of May’s parliamentary election, the organisations said overall levels of production had slumped by 40 per cent since 2007, with demand among the growing population continuing to outstrip supply.

Nicola Barclay, chief executive of Homes for Scotland, said: “We have different priorities but we are united in one simple request – that our politicians take whatever action is necessary to end the housing pressure affecting so many of those living in Scotland.”

The letter was signed by Homes for Scotland, the Royal Town Planning Institute, the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, Shelter Scotland, the Federation of Master Builders, the Chartered Institute of Housing, the Royal Incorporation of Chartered Surveyors, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and the Scottish Building Federation.