England implements housing reforms to tackle long-term empty properties

The English government has announced reforms to Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs) to help local authorities address the rising number of long-term vacant properties. Last year, more than 300,000 homes in England were classified as long-term empty, marking a 13% increase from the previous year.

Under the new reforms, the period a property must remain vacant before qualifying for an EDMO has been reduced from two years to six months. The application process has also been simplified by removing certain evidential requirements, allowing councils to intervene earlier to prevent property neglect and address community concerns such as anti-social behavior.

In a related local development, Wandsworth Council is establishing a new Housing Directorate. This move follows reports that spending on temporary housing has increased by nearly 700% since 2020. The new directorate will oversee more than 32,000 properties with a focus on improving repairs, creating safer homes, and reducing the reliance on temporary accommodation.