ALMOST 1,500 homes are sitting empty across Waverley, despite around 1,700 applicants currently languishing on the borough council’s Housing Register.

The latest figures released by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government show, in October last year, there were 1,493 vacant homes in Waverley - an increase of 12 per cent on the near-1,330 homes registered as vacant two years earlier in October 2015.

In addition, of the homes registered as vacant last autumn, 538 were classed as long-term vacancies, meaning they had been unoccupied for more than six months.

Outlining efforts to fill empty homes, a Waverley Borough Council spokesman said owners of properties vacant for over two years are currently charged 50 per cent extra council tax - but it is hoped this will soon increase to 100 per cent subject to the Government giving authority.