Caitlin Maskell heads to Maitland Park for the next stop on her Wasted London investigation and finds residents with familiar concerns

PROPERTIES should be homes, not left standing empty while families remain in overcrowded housing or temporary accommodation.

Residents living on the Maitland Park estate have criticised the Town Hall over a number of long term vacant flats, saying that lengthy delays in bringing them back into use are unacceptable amid a housing emergency.

The New Journal can reveal this week that three empty ground floor properties on the Maitland Park Estate have stood empty for nearly two years to the frustration of residents and those waiting for a home.

One of the properties, in Whitebeam House, in Maitland Park Road has been empty since late 2024 when neighbours were told the tenant had been sectioned.

Resident Paul Knowles said the tenant has not returned to the property since, and the council were being too slow in taking, meaning it can not be given to anybody else.

He said: “It’s been over 19 months since the tenant hasn’t been in the flat – and nearly 11 months since the council got a possession order.

“Until they get a warrant of possession they can’t instruct the bailiffs to come in,” he said. “And London councils and bailiffs are running 11 months behind.

“It’s basically passing the buck and it can’t take all that time. It’s a one bedroom property and they could turn it around in a week or two.

“I’m sure even a parent with two kids would take a property like that.”

The other two ground floor flats that are empty are in Alder House and Chestnut House.

Of the property in Alder House, Mr Knowles said: “You look through the window and you could see you could move in tomorrow. It’s clean but no one is in there. It’s been empty for around 18 months.

“It’s a travesty but Camden don’t listen, they’re not interested.”

Under the possession process, a council can apply to the court to regain control of a property if a tenant does not leave after a possession order has been granted.

But an order alone does not physically remove someone from a property – the council must apply for a warrant of possession, after which court bailiffs can be instructed to carry out an eviction.

Residents say delays at this stage can leave properties empty for months while the legal process continues.

Ryan Keeble, chair of the Maitland Park tenants and residents association said: “Considering there is a housing crisis, it doesn’t make much sense that there are empty homes on the estate.

“I’m sure the council will have reasons as to why they are empty, but like many residents, I do wonder why they aren’t currently occupied.”

A property in Aldar House could be used to help somebody on the waiting list

A Camden Council spokesperson said: “Camden manages one of the largest social housing stocks in the country, and some level of temporarily empty homes is normal as properties are refurbished and brought up to a high standard for new tenants.

“At present, just 1.5 per cent of our 23,000 homes for let are unoccupied. However, we recognise how important these properties are to residents in need of decent, affordable housing.

“The reasons homes become vacant vary significantly, as demonstrated by these cases. One of the properties is currently subject to legal proceedings and is therefore not able to be re-let until the council has regained possession.

“Another property became vacant due to a tenant passing away – it is currently undergoing repairs and is expected to be re-let within three months. The third property has undergone major repairs to bring it back to a decent standard and is now being re-let.”

“Since July 2025, the number of void properties in the borough has fallen by around 28% and we continue to make significant progress in reducing the number of empty homes and improving turnaround times.”