But one of many problems with the Marxist-sympathetic communities is that the government doesn’t benefit from council tax collections.
John Malone, executive chairman of PMS, said: “Is this the latest idea to emerge from housing minister Grant Shapps to bridge the housing gap by creating tent villages, I wonder?
“The tent cities are a very clever way for the government to address the housing shortage. The only problem is they’re not collecting rates on tents.”
This year only 103,000 new homes have been built – significantly fewer than the government target of 175,000 a year and far short of the 200,000 experts say are necessary keep up with growing demand.
Malone added: “After the War we had pre-fabs but obviously tents are easier and more convenient for people as the occupants are more upwardly mobile.”
People involved in the protests are campaigning against corporate greed in the City of London and financial services, arguing there is another way than capitalism. Although many are unsure which way that is.
They have been living in tent villages across the UK since mid-October as part of the Occupy movement, which has spread from New York since September.
The main Occupy site in St Paul’s Cathedral churchyard in London has resulted in the churchinitially closing to visitors and the resignations of the cathedral's Dean, the Right Reverend Graeme Knowles, its Canon Chancellor, Giles Fraser and its part-time chaplain Fraser Dyer.
The overspill has seen protestors fill Finsbury Square with tents – just a stone’s throw from LSL Property Services’ London office.
Simon Embley, chief executive of LSL, was unavailable to comment.
Meanwhile protesters at a camp in Birmingham's Victoria Square have moved to another area to make way for an annual German Christmas market andon the South Coast a camp has sprung up in a BrightonPark.
And in Bournemouth protesters are camped in front of the town hall while tents have also been set up in Glasgow city centre's George Square.
The protests have split opinion with many in London left irritated by the spotlight given to the demonstrations.
Writing in the Mail on Sunday last weekend Radio 2 Breakfast DJ Chris Evans said: “A few hundred protesters – when they’re in the mood to turn up, that is – effortlessly grabbing front-page headlines when there are millions of ordinary, decent people so much more frustrated and disgruntled about so many more sincere and everyday grievances… it just all seems so wrong.
“Some people delight in the latter and putting the rest of us in a situation where we’re too embarrassed about what might happen if we dare utter the words WHY DON’T YOU JUST CLEAR OFF?”
The St Paul’s camp protesters are planning demonstrations during the Lord Mayor’s Show and Remembrance Sunday this weekend which could see major disruption for both events.
