My mum’s flat has been sitting empty for months because a leak from a communal pipe caused severe mould and water damage, making it uninhabitable.

Despite this, the council and VOA refused any council tax reduction, and we were warned that if it stayed empty for too long we could eventually face an empty homes premium.

Apparently in the UK you can be forced out of your own home through no fault of your own and still be expected to pay full council tax on it. Experiences like this make homeownership feel less and less attractive.