Councils will be able to intervene when homes have stood empty for six months under reforms to Empty Dwelling Management Orders announced by the government.

The qualifying period for an Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO) is to be cut from two years to six months, giving local authorities the option of taking action considerably earlier.

EDMOs allow councils to take over the management of privately owned empty properties and return them to occupation for up to seven years. Ownership of the property remains with the existing owner.

APPLICATION PROCESS TO BE SIMPLIFIED

The government is also removing some of the evidence councils currently need when applying for an EDMO through the Residential Property Tribunal.

Local authorities will no longer have to provide evidence relating to matters including anti-social behaviour or demonstrate community support for intervention. The changes are intended to make the application process less burdensome.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government announced the reforms on 27 September, saying earlier intervention could help prevent vacant properties deteriorating while bringing more existing homes back into use.

The move follows calls for changes to the EDMO regime from local government. The Local Government Association has previously called for the two-year qualifying period to be reduced as part of measures to give councils greater flexibility to tackle empty properties.

The government said it is considering further changes to the EDMO system to make the powers easier for councils to use.