Councils to get powers to take management of empty homes at an earlier stage

The government has announced reforms intended to help councils bring more empty homes back into use.

The housing ministry yesterday announced plans to reform Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMO) which allow councils to temporarily take over the management of private residential properties that have been left vacant.

Under the plans, the period a property must be empty before it becomes eligible for an EDMO will be reduced from two years to six months.

The reforms will also streamline the application process by removing evidential requirements relating to issues such as anti-social behaviour or community support for intervention. A spokesperson said this will make it simpler for local authorities to seek an EDMO through the Residential Property Tribunal.

A Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “The government is also exploring further changes to strengthen the EDMO regime and support councils to use the powers more effectively.”