There are more than 1,600 homes in Tower Hamlets are sitting empty, according to the latest government data.
Figures released last week by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government claim that hundreds of those properties have been left unoccupied for at least six months.
In October last year, when the most recent count was taken, there were 1,669 vacant homes in Barking and Dagenham. Of those, 548 were classed as long-term vacancies, meaning that they had been unoccupied for at least six months.
In 2008, when the number of vacant properties peaked nationwide, there were 2,948 in the borough.
A government spokesman said: “We are equipping councils with tools they need to tackle the issue head on, such as bringing forward legislation that will allow them to double the rate of council tax on those homes left empty for two years or longer.”
Neighbouring Newham has 1,709 empty homes.
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