And councillors for the Sinclairtown ward, in which the Overton Mains property is located, say there is such a shortage of affordable housing in the area that they have had "hundreds of enquiries" from people keen to take over the tenancy.

Councillor Lawrence Brown, who represents the area on Fife Council, said: "Despite the background of this house, it could have been rented out many, many times.

"We desperately need more affordable housing in Kirkcaldy, and the fact that people are asking about this property shows just how badly it is needed."

Fellow councillor Kay Carrington, said she too had had many people asking what was happening to the property which has lain empty since the murder in August 2008.

"We were just told at the end of last week that it has been released back to the Council, so hopefully it will soon have a new tenant.

"It has been lying empty for well over a year, and obviously it will need to be cleaned and decorated before it is re-let."

Kirstie McCue, housing investigation officer, explained that the Council could not take any action on the property until a conviction had been achieved.

"Although the tenant was on remand for some time, he was still legally the tenant, and we could not do anything until he had been convicted.

"At that point we had to apply to the court to have an eviction order and for the property to be released back into the Council's hands."

Councillor Carrington explained that this had been granted by the courts on Friday last week.

John Mills, senior housing manager said he hoped that the property would soon have a new tenant.

"We don't like any of our properties lying empty at any time, but particularly at this time of year.

"It will be completely deep-cleaned then the top two or three tenants who are matched as suitable on our housing list will be invited to view the property and the full background will be explained to them before it is handed over."

Fife Council is currently seeking planning permission to build 57 more properties, including affordable units, in Rosyth and Ladybank, with plans for more to follow.