The United Kingdom government has announced reforms aimed at helping local councils bring more long-term empty homes back into use, as authorities seek to make better use of the country’s existing housing stock.

Under the changes announced by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, councils will be able to take action against certain properties that remain vacant for extended periods through a revised Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO) system.

The government says the reforms are intended to give local authorities greater flexibility to address properties that remain unused and, in some cases, deteriorate while standing vacant.

Eligibility Period Set to Be Reduced

One of the major changes involves the length of time a property must remain empty before it can become eligible for an EDMO.

Under the announced reforms, the qualifying period will be reduced from two years to six months. This would allow councils to intervene considerably earlier when a property has been left unused.

The government says earlier intervention could help prevent vacant properties from falling into serious disrepair and enable them to be returned to occupation sooner.

Empty properties can create challenges for communities when they remain unused for prolonged periods. Apart from representing housing that is not being occupied, neglected properties can sometimes become difficult to manage for local authorities and surrounding communities.

How Empty Dwelling Management Orders Work

An EDMO allows a local council to take over the management of a long-term empty property while ownership remains with the property owner.

Under the existing framework, councils can manage qualifying empty homes and arrange for them to be brought back into occupation. The management period can extend for up to seven years.

The revised approach is designed to make the process more accessible to councils while maintaining the owner’s underlying ownership of the property.

The changes therefore focus on management and occupation rather than transferring ownership of homes to local authorities.

Application Process to Be Simplified

The government also plans to streamline the procedure councils use when seeking an EDMO through the Residential Property Tribunal.

Certain evidential requirements relating to matters such as anti-social behaviour or community support for intervention will be removed under the reforms.

According to the government, simplifying these requirements could make it easier for councils to seek an order when they believe intervention is necessary.

The intention is to reduce procedural barriers and allow local authorities to respond more quickly to properties that have remained empty.

Focus on Existing Housing Stock

The announcement comes amid continuing efforts to make better use of existing housing resources.

Rather than relying entirely on the construction of new homes, bringing unused properties back into occupation can increase the effective availability of housing within existing communities.

Long-term vacant properties can vary considerably in their condition and circumstances. Some may require substantial renovation, while others may simply need active management before they can once again be occupied.

The revised EDMO framework is intended to provide councils with another mechanism for dealing with such properties.

Further Changes Under Consideration

The government has indicated that the reforms announced are not necessarily the final changes to the EDMO system.

Officials are also exploring additional measures that could strengthen the regime and help councils make more effective use of their existing powers.

The wider objective is to ensure that properties capable of being occupied do not remain unnecessarily unused for long periods.

For councils, the changes could provide an additional tool for addressing persistent empty homes. For communities, bringing neglected properties back into use could contribute to better use of neighbourhood housing resources.

The government’s announcement marks a significant proposed change to the way local authorities can respond to long-term empty residential properties, particularly by allowing intervention to be considered much earlier than under the previous two-year threshold.

As the reforms progress, councils and property owners will be watching how the new arrangements are implemented and how effectively they translate vacant properties into occupied homes.