The number of long term empty homes in Bromley has risen since 2012. 

Bromley makes it into the top 10 out of 32 London Boroughs for long term empty homes in 2013 - classified as being vacant for six months or more.

According to figures from the council and charity Empty Homes, in 2012 there were 728 in the borough compared to 841 in 2013, an increase of 16%.

The borough with the highest was Kensington and Chelsea with 1,700 last year.

Bromley Council has a dedicated 'empty homes programme', with online information stating: "We recognise that long term empty properties are a wasted asset.”

However, the increasing number of empty houses in Bromley has also been noted by residents.

Company YouSpotProperty rewards members of the public for spotting and reporting dilapidated homes which can be brought back into use.

Figures for 2014 show 25% of all locations have been in Bromley, with areas such as St. Mary Cray and Penge hotspots.

Nick Kalms, director of YouSpotProperty.com, said: "It's a pretty big rise in Bromley.

"We had one house in Biggin Hill which we're in the process of buying, the man got quite sick, he had cancer and was just staying with family. It was empty for about six years.

"We've seen quite a high number of reports from Bromley, there clearly is a problem there and the community are trying to do something about it."

He added while wealthier boroughs may see investors snapping up properties to turn a profit, this was more unlikely in Bromley.

Mr Kalms said: "A lot of people can't keep up with the upkeep of houses, it may cost hundreds of thousands and people just don't have that."

He also cited illness and inheritance as possible reasons for the spike in Bromley.

While charity Empty Homes had not finished analysing the 2014 figures, the council claimed the number had dropped to 731 this year - still higher than the 2012 figure. 

Cllr Robert Evans, executive councillor for care services, said: "The reality is that the number of empty homes is falling and the actual number has always been very small, with well over 99% of homes not classified as long term empty at all.

"The statistics for 2012 and 2013 cannot be directly compared as the exemptions available actually changed in these years.

"We are continuing to do lots of things to encourage property owners to make sure their property is used, including no longer giving a council tax discount for any empty property and active promotion of our landlord scheme for instance."

With National Empty Homes Week earlier in December, there are renewed calls for the government to tackle the blight of derelict homes.

To see the council's information on empty homes visit: www.bromley.gov.uk/info/913/empty_properties/719/empty_properties