Should councils be able to take over homes left empty for more than two years?
Councils in England can already apply for an Empty Dwelling Management Order, taking over management of a home empty for at least two years and letting it for up to seven years, while the owner keeps ownership. The government announced in September 2026 that it will cut the threshold to six months, and ministers say no applications have been made since 2021. About 303,000 homes in England were empty for six months or more in October 2025, though that includes homes in probate or renovation.
8 Opinions
Lazy lefty politics. The ultimate socialist/commie act. If you buy/own property with your hard earned cash, what right has anyone else got to take it from you? If this is targeted at the "6.5 million homes needed" (a made up number to match EU houses/capita), BUILD MORE HOMES. If it's about foreigners buying up housing stock, ban them from doing it (although a bit of me would love to see Westminster Council take over a penthouse at One Hyde Park!!!).
Yes, but only under strict conditions, with protection in place for the property owners. A property might be vacant for two years for valid legal, financial, personal, or structural reasons and complications that stall sales, lets, or renovations. This has to be taken into consideration, not be a carte blanche right to just commandeer someone's property.
Smells like theft and communism. Actually communism is theft. Redistribution always ends in tears.
We have a housing crisis in the UK, and councils renting out long-term empty houses, although minimal does help a bit.
Better that than squatters