Unoccupied homes can negatively impact the value of adjoining properties and can ultimately become a source of nuisance within a local area. Additionally, there is also a significant housing shortage within the UK and putting empty homes back into use is a practical method to alleviate this issue.
There are around half a million homes currently unoccupied in the UK, which, if utilised effectively, could assist in combatting the empty homes crisis facing the UK.
So what are the solutions?
Local authorities have a number of options at their disposal in order to put empty properties back into use. One potential solution is the use of Empty Dwelling Management Orders (“EDMOs”). EDMOs are a legal tool which allow local authorities to take control of, and manage, residential properties. These properties must have been empty for at least 2 years (6 months in Wales) and the following criteria must apply:
- All attempts to contact and trace the owner to bring the property back into use have failed;
- The dwelling has been unoccupied for at least two years;
- There is no prospect of the dwelling becoming occupied in the near future;
- There is a reasonable prospect that the dwelling will become occupied if an EDMO is made; and
- The local authority has complied with its duties in seeking an EDMO.
In the right circumstances, an EDMO might be the correct option for a local authority to take control of a property and put it back into use through rental or other means.
A further option available to local authorities is the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders (“CPOs”). CPOs can be used where the local authority has a statutory right to buy a property. As with EDMOs, there are a number of criteria which must be met by the local authority in order to exercise the right of a CPO. The local authority must be able to justify the CPO to the Secretary of State, considering factors such as public interest and purpose.
CPOs can act as a useful tool to local authorities who wish to purchase an empty property, allowing it to be put back into use through the open market.
Our specialist Empty Homes team can assist in the enforcement of EDMOs or CPOs. We act for local authorities throughout the country and offer a comprehensive variety of solutions to assist with getting empty properties back into use.
For more information about Empty Dwelling Management Orders please contact our Empty Homes team on (0114) 218 4000 or email emptyhomes@tayloremmet.co.uk
The post Empty Dwelling Management Orders explained appeared first on The Taylor&Emmet Blog.