Councils in England will be given stronger powers to take control of long-term empty homes, under reforms announced by the UK government on September 27.

The changes lower the threshold for Empty Dwelling Management Orders, allowing councils to step in after a home has sat empty for six months. Authorities can then bring the property back into use, with owners retaining their underlying ownership.

Ministers say hundreds of thousands of homes stand empty while the country faces a housing shortage. The reforms aim to turn vacant properties into places people can actually live in, rather than letting them rot.

Landlord groups have urged councils to use the powers proportionately, warning against penalizing owners facing genuine difficulties. The government insists safeguards remain, but the message is clear: empty homes are a wasted resource.

Housing charities welcomed the move but said council enforcement funding will decide its impact. The reforms form part of a broader push to increase housing supply without building only on greenfield sites.