Enforcement
Enforcement
Sometimes, despite our efforts, owners are unable or unwilling to take action. When an empty property is causing problems for the community or poses a risk to health, the council may need to step in.
We may take enforcement action if a property is:
- Open and insecure
- Infested with vermin
- Accumulating waste
- Ruinous or severely dilapidated
- Attracting anti‑social behaviour
If an owner neglects their responsibilities, we will investigate and take appropriate action to protect the community.
What Enforcement Can Involve
Formal action may include serving legal notices requiring the owner to:
- Secure the property
- Carry out essential repairs or improvements
- Address pest infestations
- Remove waste or hazards
In some cases, we may enforce the sale of a property to recover costs incurred by the council.
Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs)
In exceptional circumstances, where a home has been empty for at least two years and all informal attempts to bring it back into use have failed, the council may apply to the First‑tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) for an Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO).
An EDMO allows the council to take control of the property and manage it so it can be brought back into occupation.