The government is planning changes to give councils greater powers to bring long-term empty properties back into use.
The reforms will focus on Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs), which allow councils to take over the management of qualifying vacant homes while ownership remains with the property owner. Under the current proposals, councils could manage a property and return it to occupation for up to seven years.
Empty Homes Could Face Earlier Intervention
One of the biggest changes is the proposed reduction in the vacancy period required before an EDMO can be considered.
At present, a property generally needs to have been empty for two years. The government plans to reduce this to six months, allowing councils to intervene much sooner where homes remain unused and could fall into disrepair.
The government says the change is intended to make better use of existing housing stock rather than allowing properties to remain vacant for long periods.
Simpler Process For Councils
The reforms would also make it easier for councils to apply for an EDMO through the Residential Property Tribunal.
Local authorities would no longer have to provide evidence relating to issues such as anti-social behaviour or demonstrate community support for the intervention. This is intended to remove some of the barriers that have made EDMOs difficult to use.
The government is also considering further changes to strengthen the EDMO system and help councils deal with the costs and practical challenges involved in managing empty properties.
What Happens To Property Owners?
An EDMO does not transfer ownership of the property to the council. Instead, it gives the local authority control over the management of the home for a limited period.
This means owners could still retain ownership while the council arranges for the property to be brought back into use.
For landlords and other property owners, the proposed six-month threshold could therefore make leaving a property vacant for extended periods more significant.
Owners with empty properties may need to consider refurbishment, letting or sale decisions sooner if the reforms come into force.
Why Is The Government Making The Change?
The government says the reforms are designed to make better use of existing homes at a time when housing supply remains under pressure.
There are more than 300,000 long-term empty homes in England, according to the latest figures cited by the government. Ministers want councils to have more effective tools to bring some of these properties back into occupation.
The reforms are also intended to prevent empty properties from deteriorating while they remain unused.
What Does This Mean For Landlords?
The proposed changes could increase pressure on owners who leave homes vacant for long periods.
Landlords dealing with properties that need significant repairs, are between tenants or are awaiting a sale may need to pay closer attention to how long the property remains empty.
However, the changes are proposals rather than an immediate new requirement. The government has not yet confirmed when the reforms will come into force.
For now, property owners should keep track of further announcements and understand how the final EDMO rules could affect their properties.
More Changes Could Follow
The government has indicated that the latest reforms are not necessarily the end of its plans for EDMOs.
Further changes are being considered to strengthen the system and help councils use their powers more effectively.
If introduced, reducing the eligibility period from two years to six months would represent a significant change in how long-term empty properties are dealt with across England.
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