Residents of long - term empty properties with a combined value of over £ 500 m ( $ 655 m ) in one of London 's wealthiest areas , Kensington and Chelsea , incurred fines of just £ 85,000 last year , according to the Guardian . The figures came to light after the accidental release of a confidential database . A buyer for estate agent Savills said the buy to leave issue , in which owners leave their properties vacant to avoid renting costs , was " endemic " across London 's most attractive areas . Polly Neate , the CEO of charity Shelter , said the government 's buy to leave penalty – , an extra 50 % of tax – was " meaningless " .
Owners of long-term empty properties with a combined value of over £500m ($655m) in one of London's wealthiest areas, Kensington and Chelsea, incurred fines of just £85,000 last year, according to the Guardian. The figures came to light after the accidental release of a confidential database. A buyer for estate agent Savills said the buy to leave issue, in which owners leave their properties vacant to avoid renting costs, was "endemic" across London's most attractive areas. Polly Neate, the CEO of charity Shelter, said the government's buy to leave penalty – charging an extra 50% council tax – was "meaningless".