Part 4Additional control provisions in relation to residential accommodation

Chapter 2Interim and final empty dwelling management orders

Introductory

I1132Empty dwelling management orders: introductory

1

This Chapter deals with the making by a local housing authority of—

a

an interim empty dwelling management order (an “interim EDMO”), or

b

a final empty dwelling management order (a “final EDMO”),

in respect of a dwelling.

2

An interim EDMO is an order made to enable a local housing authority, with the consent of the relevant proprietor, to take steps for the purpose of securing that a dwelling becomes and continues to be occupied.

3

A final EDMO is an order made, in succession to an interim EDMO or a previous final EDMO, for the purpose of securing that a dwelling is occupied.

4

In this Chapter—

a

dwelling” means—

i

a building intended to be occupied as a separate dwelling, or

ii

a part of a building intended to be occupied as a separate dwelling which may be entered otherwise than through any non-residential accommodation in the building;

b

any reference to “the dwelling”, in relation to an interim EDMO or a final EDMO, is a reference to the dwelling to which the order relates;

c

relevant proprietor”, in relation to a dwelling, means—

i

if the dwelling is let under one or more leases with an unexpired term of 7 years or more, the lessee under whichever of those leases has the shortest unexpired term; or

ii

in any other case, the person who has the freehold estate in the dwelling;

d

third party”, in relation to a dwelling, means any person who has an estate or interest in the dwelling (other than the relevant proprietor and any person who is a tenant under a lease granted under paragraph 2(3)(c) or 10(3)(c) of Schedule 7); and

e

any reference (however expressed) to rent or other payments in respect of occupation of a dwelling, includes any payments that the authority receive from persons in respect of unlawful occupation of the dwelling.

5

In subsection (4)(c), the reference to an unexpired term of 7 years or more of a lease of a dwelling is—

a

in relation to a dwelling in respect of which the local housing authority are considering making an interim EDMO, a reference to the unexpired term of the lease at the time the authority begin taking steps under section 133(3),

b

in relation to a dwelling in respect of which an interim EDMO has been made, a reference to the unexpired term of the lease at the time the application for authorisation to make the interim EDMO was made under subsection (1) of that section, or

c

in relation to a dwelling in respect of which a local housing authority are considering making or have made a final EDMO, a reference to the unexpired term of the lease at the time the application for authorisation to make the preceding interim EDMO was made under subsection (1) of that section.

  • Preceding interim EDMO”, in relation to a final EDMO, means the interim EDMO that immediately preceded the final EDMO or, where there has been a succession of final EDMOs, the interim EDMO that immediately preceded the first of them.

6

Schedule 7 (which makes further provision regarding EDMOs) has effect.