BROMLEY has one of the highest numbers of vacant dwellings in the capital.

The borough comes eighth out of 33 London boroughs with 3,320 properties being left empty.

Data released by the Department for Communities and Local Government and analysed by trade union GMB has revealed the worrying ghost-town trend.

Paul Hayes, GMB regional secretary, said: “That there are 74,553 empty dwellings in London at a time when there is acute pressure on the housing market signals there are not enough penalties against leaving a property vacant.”

Possible factors include the increase of house prices and private rentals as well as lengthy waiting lists for social housing.

Mr Hayes added: “Politicians and public authorities need to look again at the level of tax levied on properties which are empty.

“The system needs to be tilted in such a way property owners face penalties if they do not take all reasonable steps to ensure dwellings are occupied.”

A spokesperson from Bromley Council said: "Bromley Council offers help, advice and in some circumstances assistance to owners to bring their properties up to standard for renting out.

"In some cases where empty privately owned property is falling into disrepair and becoming a nuisance or hazardous to the area, the Council will consider statutory action under the Housing Act 2004 to require that necessary works are carried out or to take over control and management of the property so that these can be carried out to allow the property to be brought back into use for letting purposes."