Featured in the Daily Star: Launching a Nation of 'Sherlock Homes'

We're thrilled to share that Empty Property Hunters has been featured exclusively in the Daily Star, as part of an exciting new campaign to tackle the UK's empty homes crisis head on.

The article spotlights a property in Fareham, Hampshire – empty for over 60 years, overrun with rats and foxes, and nicknamed the "Addams Family house" by neighbours– as an example of the 260,000 homes lying vacant across the UK. Residents describe it as a blight on their community, dragging down the area while families elsewhere desperately search for a home.

Simon spoke to the Daily Star about why so many properties end up stuck in limbo:

"Some owners can't cope with probate, inheritance rows or the cost of repairs. That's where we try to unblock the situation. The maddest thing? Homes like this are often sitting in areas where families would bite your hand off for the chance to buy one."

As part of the feature, the Daily Star has teamed up with Empty Property Hunters to recruit a nationwide army of amateur sleuths – dubbed "Sherlock Homes" – to help identify and report long-term empty properties.

Readers who spot a home that's been vacant for at least 12 months can earn a £20 reward voucher, and if their tip leads to a property being brought back into use, they could earn 1% of the sale price.

"This isn't just a property story. It's about neighbours, communities and thousands of homes sitting empty during a housing crisis."

Read the full article in the Daily Star →