The husband and wife Labour MPs Alan and Ann Keen were at the centre of a dirty tricks row last night after being asked by their local council to explain why their designated main home has been left empty for over six months.

Hounslow council, in West London, confirmed that it had written to the couple giving them one month to explain how they intended to bring the property back into occupation before they took “enforcement” procedures — which could involve reposs-ession.

The Keens, however, insisted that the house was being renovated, after which they would move back in.

Under current legislation, if the council is not happy with the response it can take action to put other people in the home in Brentford, 10 miles from Westminster. The Keens are claiming the Commons second home allowance on a property at Waterloo, just over the Thames from Parliament.

A council spokesman said: “We have contacted the Keens with regard to their property. They have one month to respond.”

But last night senior Labour sources accused other political parties of mounting a “dirty tricks” operation against the Keens, insisting that they were not subject to repossession legislation because their home was being renovated.

Mrs Keen, a Health Minister, said: “It is categorically untrue to say that our home is an empty dwelling as made clear by the relevant legislation. It is currently in the process of being substantially renovated, entirely at our own expense.

“The property is not subject to an empty dwelling management order. The letter we have received from the London Borough of Hounslow is clear that owners undertaking renovation work on their homes are not under threat of repossession.

“As soon as this work is completed, we will be back living at home in Brentford, where we have lived for the past 22 years.”

Andrew Dakers, a Liberal Democrat councillor and his party’s prospective Parliamentary candidate for the seat, told the BBC that windows at the back of the Keens’ main home were boarded up and paint was splashed on the inside of the upstairs windows.

The row was another embarrassemnt for the Government as it tries to break free from the expenses row.

Shadow housing minister Grant Shapps said: “It is deeply ironic that the Labour Government’s powers to allow the state confiscation of private property will be utilised against absentee Labour Members of Parliament.”

Even before the disclosure, the Keens were already facing questions as to why they needed their flat given that the Brentford home is only 10 miles from the Commons.

Under current law when an empty property is reported to the council, a land registry and council tax search is carried out identify the owner. Letters are sent out — normally over a six-month period — urging the owner to contact the council.

After six months, if there has been no response and the property is still unoccupied and in a poor state, a final letter is sent out giving seven days’ notice before we begin the process for the appropriate enforcement.

Mrs Keen has also faced questions over a private hospital bill claimed on her Commons expenses in 2005. Last night sources close to her said the claim was for a member of her staff.

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