The UK's numerous empty properties could be used for Short Life Housing, a charity has suggested.

According to the Empty Homes Agency, houses and flats which are going to be refitted or refurbished by tradesman, such as those who have been on a tiling course, could be used as short-term accommodation.

Henry Oliver, policy advisor at the Empty Homes Agency, said that entrepreneurs who are planning to renovate a property could make themselves money in the interim by renting it out.

He commented: "Short Life Housing is something that's very widely used in the Netherlands…It tends to appeal to entrepreneurial types who are moving into an area and haven't quite decided where they want to live.

"Instead of paying for security to look after your empty property, you pay a company to get people in to live in it…so everybody wins. Then when you want your building back, you can have it back whenever you want. This is one opportunity that we think is coming up and we're quite interested to promote it."

A report from the Empty Homes Agency suggested that 500,000 empty homes are exempt from council tax or receive a discount.