Linda Williams, a 62-year-old grandmother from Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, funded a £700 Norwegian fjords cruise on the MSC Virtuosa by reporting an abandoned property in Haydock. The sale of the house, purchased by Empty Property Hunters for around £50,000, earned her £420—a £20 referral fee plus a £400 share of the proceeds.
How the Property Hunt Works
Williams is part of the Daily Star's Sherlock Homes network, which works with Empty Property Hunters to identify and bring abandoned properties back into use. After spotting a potential empty home, she photographs it and submits the details. If the property is acquired and sold, she receives about one percent of the final purchase price.
A Lucrative Sideline
“It was so rewarding to know the house is finally going to be lived in again,” Williams said. “Seeing it fall to such disrepair seems such a waste.” She added that the £400 windfall allowed her to take the cruise spontaneously: “I’ve always worked hard and never been the kind of person that wins anything. Being paid £400 just like that was a rare windfall.”
The Scale of Empty Homes in England
According to Empty Property Hunters, more than one million residential properties across England are currently empty, including around 265,000 that have been unoccupied for at least six months. Most are left empty due to bereavement, probate delays, family disputes, or owners moving overseas. Meanwhile, an estimated 382,000 people in England are homeless.
Advice for Aspiring Property Hunters
Williams encourages others to join the hunt: “Give it a go! There’s nothing lost at all by signing up to being a hunter and sending in any empty property suggestions. And you could gain a little bit extra and even more if they go on to buy the property!” She continues to scout for new leads, recently submitting a property in Carlisle.
