The government has announced changes to Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs), supporting councils to bring more long-term empty homes back into use and helping ensure existing housing stock is used more effectively.

EDMOs allow councils to take over the management of long-term empty homes and return them to occupation for up to seven years while ownership remains with the property owner.

Reforms would reduced the period a property must be empty before it becomes eligible for an EDMO from two years to six months.

The changes would also streamline the application process by removing evidential requirements relating to issues such as anti-social behaviour or community support for intervention, making it simpler for local authorities to seek an EDMO through the Residential Property Tribunal.