'I've made £5,500 by reporting empty houses - the money goes toward holidays'

Retired police officer Roy Foulkes has earned more than £5,500 in cash and vouchers just by reporting empty and run-down properties

Christmas is an expensive time of year, and many of us will be looking for ways to make extra money to top up our bank account after the festive season.

Retired police officer Roy Foulkes has earned more than £5,500 in cash and vouchers just by reporting empty and run-down properties.

The 67-year-old, who lives in West Hallam, Derbyshire, first came across YouSpotProperty in 2024 and has been using the website to make extra money ever since. YouSpotProperty pays people for identifying and reporting long-term empty houses.

The company initially pays a £20 Amazon or M&S voucher when someone correctly identifies an empty home - but if it then goes on to buy