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Matthew PennycookLabour PartyHousing & environment

Shorter wait before councils take over empty homes

“We will reduce the qualifying period from two years to six months and remove evidential requirements relating to matters such as anti-social behaviour or community support.”

PromisedWritten ministerial statement, 12 Oct 2026
  1. Promised

Where it stands

Announced on 27 September 2026. An Empty Dwelling Management Order lets a council manage a long-term empty home and bring it back into use for up to seven years, while the owner keeps it. The change would shorten how long a home must be empty before a council can apply. The statement does not say how or when it will be made.

What has happened

  1. Oct 2026The Housing Minister says the qualifying period for Empty Dwelling Management Orders will be cut from two years to six months, Promised

About the cost

No cost has been published.

More detail

Sources (1)
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