The government has unveiled a consultation on giving councils the power to bring England and Wales' 300,000 empty homes back into use
It is hoped the three-month consultation, first announced in the Communities Plan, will help ease the shortage in high-demand areas.

Speaking at a conference to mark Empty Homes Week on Thursday, junior housing minister Tony McNulty said four options were being considered. The first is forcing the owners of empty homes to relinquish management to councils. However, the government is still working to stave off challenges from homeowners under the Human Rights Act (HT 16 May, page 10).

The other options are: giving councils temporary control of run-down empty homes; giving councils control of empty homes where a housing need has been identified; giving councils control of dilapidated homes only if local housing is needed; or changing nothing.

The plans can be viewed at

Source

Housing Today