Empty dwelling management orders?

Chained property door, question mark and 5 November calendar highlighting concerns over six-month empty dwelling rules.
Readers Question by Readers Question
12:05 AM, 20th October 2026, 2 days ago 17
Categories:
Landlord NewsLettings & Management

Hello, Re: the ‘empty dwelling management order’, which is a fancy name for councils ……… for your property!

There seems to be very limited information on the details of this but it seems the new 6 month limit comes in on the 5th November.

My questions about this:

1. Does the 6 month vacant period apply after 5th November only or does it also apply to vacant periods before the 5th too?

2 Do LLs have a say on tenant referencing and backgrounds or is it councils only – it could be ‘anyone’ going in?

3 Will councils act as guarantors for rents and damage, errr?

Thank you,

R

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Tags: council powers, Empty Dwelling Management Orders, empty homes, Landlord rights, Tenant referencing, unpaid rent
  • Judith Wordsworth Judith Wordsworth Read Full Bio

    Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1623 - Articles: 1

    12:59 PM, 20th October 2026, About 2 days ago

    Reply to the comment left by David at 20/10/2026 – 12:42
    It will be for any empty property not just PRS rentals.

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  • Gromit Gromit

    Member Since September 2015 - Comments: 1042

    1:22 PM, 20th October 2026, About 2 days ago

    Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 20/10/2026 – 12:58
    If you think there’ll be any money left over, then just think of all the overheads and inefficiency within the local Councils, and the Councils desperation for funds (they’ll charge anything and everything they can).

    1 Report Comment Reply
  • Gromit Gromit

    Member Since September 2015 - Comments: 1042

    4:38 PM, 20th October 2026, About 2 days ago

    Reply to the comment left by Gromit at 20/10/2026 – 10:58
    “They can free provided you pay utilities/Council Tax.”
    should read
    “They can be free/cost nothing provided you pay all utilities/Council Tax.”

    2 Report Comment Reply
  • DPT DPT

    Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 1391

    9:32 AM, 21st October 2026, About 1 day ago

    Reply to the comment left by David at 12:42
    “So this will just apply all previously tenanted homes, which is discriminatory, but only a matter of time until they extend it to other homes.”
    I’m not clear why a previously tenanted property would be left empty for 6 months when it’s not being either sold or re-let?

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  • Dave Dave Read Full Bio

    Member Since February 2019 - Comments: 17

    1:41 PM, 21st October 2026, About 22 hours ago

    I have a property in Birkenhead that is for rent.
    The stipulation is that any perspective tenant needs a guarantor..(due to the renters rights act)…..so far the property has had no suitable tenants enquire.

    Could the Council take over control of this property if I do not manage to rent it in the next 3 months…..if they do….do they pay lha or the rent I am asking (below market rate) ?

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  • DPT DPT

    Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 1391

    1:54 PM, 21st October 2026, About 22 hours ago

    Reply to the comment left by Dave at 21/10/2026 – 13:41
    No

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  • Ana Ana

    Member Since June 2026 - Comments: 13

    8:35 PM, 21st October 2026, About 15 hours ago

    And this is yet one more reason for smaller landlords like me to say goodbye. Your own property is no longer yours, why bother. State sanctioned theft at its finest. At the moment they don’t steal your shares or cash, but I’m sure that will come soon in some form or other.

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