[Anonymouse]

Are they referring just to council properties or privately-owned houses? If the latter, who the hell do they think they are? Since when does the government - any government - have the right to seize private property just because it isn't being used? There could be any number of reasons why a house might be left empty for a while by its owner. What the hell business is it of theirs?

Hell, I didn't actually move into my flat for some months after taking the tenancy - mainly because my crappy working hours and nearly nonexistent holidays meant I literally didn't have time - though I was paying the rent. Then, just after I did move in, I ended up in hospital after an accident, and spent weeks at the mother's convalescing, because I didn't feel safe on my own given the state I was in.