Local authorities have been granted new powers to take control of empty properties as housing pressures rise. More than 300,000 homes in England were classed as long-term empty last year. In response, the government has announced reforms to Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs). The changes will help councils return long-term empty homes to use and maximise the potential of existing housing stock. The reforms form part of a wider strategy to bring empty homes back into use and tackle the rising number of vacant properties.
What is an EDMO?
An Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO) is a legal order that allows councils to take over the management of long-term empty home. While the ownership of the property remains with the owner, the council can manage or rent the property for up to seven years. The aim is to bring empty homes back into use and help address housing needs.
What are the reform changes?
The reforms have reduced the vacancy period required before a property becomes eligible for an EDMO, from two years to six months. As a result, councils can take action at an earlier stage when homes are left unoccupied to avoid properties falling into disrepair.
The reforms also changed the application process by removing the requirement to provide evidence before intervening with the property. This includes issues such as anti-social behaviour or wider community problems. Overall, making it easier to take control of a property.
What problems do empty properties cause?
There are over 300,000 homes classified as long-term empty, representing a 13% increase from the previous year. Properties can become empty for a various of reasons, including probate delays, a lack of known heirs or ownership of multiple properties.
When a home is neglected for a long time, it can fall into disrepair and become a target for vandalism and anti-social behaviour. This can affect how safe people feel in the area and may also have an impact on surrounding property values.
A review of the reforms
The reforms have received a mixed response from campaigners. While many support the efforts to bring long-term empty properties back into use, others have raised concerns about property owners’ rights.
Empty properties can represent a missed opportunity to make better use of existing housing stock when housing demands are high. The reforms will allow councils to intervene sooner before a property falls into serious disrepair. However, what does this mean for property owners? Properties can be empty for six months for many reasons, including probate or renovations. There is still uncertainty around how property owners’ rights will be protected. In most cases, EDMOs are only used as a last resort after local authorities have contacted property owners to encourage them to return their empty properties to use. For more blogs like this, click here.
