Councils are being given more support to help them bring empty homes back in to use in the current economic climate, Housing Minister Margaret Beckett has announced.

New guidance is being published with the Empty Homes Agency, setting out the range of strengthened powers local authorities have to deal with the problem of empty homes, including the use of Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs).

While the number of long term empty homes has fallen by nine per cent over the last decade, Mrs Beckett is calling on councils to take firmer action to tackle the blight of empty homes and re-use properties. This could provide a significant contribution to housing supply with new house building falling right now.

The guidance sets out how local authorities can use the tools at their disposal for dealing with empty homes, including:

* Increasing pressure on owners to bring their empty properties back into use. The guidance makes clear councils should try to track down owners of empty properties, for example by placing adverts in newspapers, visiting their home address, or using professional search agencies if appropriate.

* Encouraging local authorities to issue an EDMO as a last resort where other measures have failed, by explaining clearly how they can be used. EDMOs allow local authorities to take over the management, not the ownership, of a property. The guidance shows that even the threat of an EDMO can have a significant impact on encouraging owners to work with councils to bring homes back into use.

* Acting on local residents’ concerns and petitions to bring empty homes back into use through a range of powers, including EDMOs. Under the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill going through Parliament at the moment, local people will be able to petition councils to bring empty homes back into use.

Margaret Beckett said: “Empty homes blight local neighbourhoods and can potentially attract anti-social behaviour. That is why councils must do all they can to bring empty homes in their area back into use.

“I believe that with an increased focus and more consistent approach we can bring more homes back into use. With house building slowing in the current economic climate, that is more important than ever.

“The new guidance helps strengthen the role of councils by setting out the broad powers they have to deal with empty homes, and is part of the range of actions we are taking to support the regeneration of our towns and cities.”