Lord Frost, the former Brexit minister, said: “Don’t risk leaving your house empty. After six months the Government will come for it and rent it to someone else.”
Labour argues the new powers target homes left unused for long periods, rather than properties temporarily vacant between owners or during legitimate works.
Emily Thornberry, a Labour MP, said: “I said it in 2020, and I’ll say it again. If you leave a home empty long-term in the middle of a housing crisis, it should be seized. Today’s announcement is great news.”
More than 300,000 homes in England were classed as long-term empty last year, according to official figures.
There were 303,185 properties vacant for at least six months in October 2025, up 14.5pc from 264,884 a year earlier. Long-term empty homes accounted for 1.2pc of England’s housing stock.
That figure includes properties left vacant for a range of reasons, including homes awaiting probate, undergoing renovation or being prepared for sale.
Ministers said the changes would allow councils to stop property from falling into serious disrepair while helping provide homes for families in need. This could reduce the need to carry out renovations after taking over management of the property.
However, Kirstie Allsopp, a television presenter and property commentator, questioned whether councils had the capacity to make use of the new powers.
She said: “Most councils can’t grant planning permission for a downstairs loo without six months’ notice; the idea that they’ll be seizing properties and renovating them is an absolute fantasy.”
The Government says no applications for an order have been made since 2021.
Councils have been able to seek orders to take over the management of empty homes since 2006, when the threshold was six months. A two-year threshold was introduced in 2012.
