By Tony Booth

It is estimated that up to an alarming 50 per cent of units on some new developments are being purposely left empty by investors waiting for prices to rise, so they can make a profit by selling them on.

This leaves these dwellings at risk from squatters who invade a property, destroy sanitaryware and other fixtures and can render an investment unsaleable within a very short timeframe.

So, what can an investor do under these circumstances?

Research conducted by Inside Housing at the end of last year found that up to 50 per cent of new flats in Leeds were being left empty, 40 per cent in Salford and 10 to 15 per cent in East London.