Government reforms aim to bring empty homes back into use sooner

UKPulse Property Desk

The government has announced reforms to Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs), reducing the period a property must be empty before it is eligible for an EDMO from two years to six months.

The period a property must be empty before an EDMO can be applied has been reduced from two years to six months.
The application process for EDMOs will be streamlined by removing certain evidential requirements.
EDMOs allow councils to manage empty homes for up to seven years while ownership remains with the property owner.

The government announced reforms today, 27 September 2026, to Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs). These changes are intended to support councils in bringing more long-term empty homes back into use.

The reforms will reduce the period a property must be empty before it becomes eligible for an EDMO, changing it from two years to six months. This aims to allow councils to act sooner to prevent properties from falling into serious disrepair.

Additionally, the application process for EDMOs will be streamlined. Evidential requirements related to issues such as anti-social behaviour or community support for intervention will be removed, making it simpler for local authorities to seek an EDMO through the Residential Property Tribunal.

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

Why this matters: The changes aim to ensure existing housing stock is used more effectively by bringing vacant properties back into use sooner.

What this means for you: If you own a property that has been empty for six months, it could now be eligible for an Empty Dwelling Management Order by your local council.

Government reforms aim to bring empty homes back into use sooner

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