30/09/2026
The government has announced reforms to Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs). An EDMO allows a council to take over the management of a long-term empty home and return it to occupation for up to seven years, while ownership stays with the owner.
The key change? A home will only need to be empty for six months rather than two years before a council can apply for an EDMO. The application process through the Residential Property Tribunal is also being simplified.
A property can sit empty for all sorts of reasons: probate taking longer than expected, a relative moving into care, a disagreement between co-owners, or a rental that needs work between tenants. So it's worth knowing where you stand sooner rather than later.
If you have questions about an empty property, our Residential Property, Probate and Landlord & Tenant teams are here to help with clear, jargon-free advice. 💙