Key Points

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• Demand for affordable accommodation highest ever

• Over 60,000 people applied to become property guardians 

• Some 260,000 private rental sector homes have been taken out of the accommodation sector

• More than 600,000 residential and commercial buildings lie empty in the UK

• The private rental sector UK average monthly rent reaches £1002, in London £1,754 but do not include bills

• Property Guardians monthly license fees average £600, in London £720 - but most include bills

• Local authorities and property owners spend £100 millions to secure and repair vacant

       buildings, targeted by vandals, arsonists and squatters

• Planning regulations designed for long-term residences lasting decades are being applied to temporarily vacant properties, restricting empty premises being put to good use and providing affordable accommodation