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Communities and Local Government secretary Eric Pickles has just made it harder for councils to use empty properties - councils must now wait two years, rather than six months. There are currently in Cornwall which have been empty for more than six months.

According to the Empty Homes Agency only 44 orders have been issued in England since the law was introduced in 2006. I asked Cornwall Council if it had ever used this legislation (Empty Dwelling Management Orders) and if so how often. Here's the reply:

"The answer is no EDMOs have been applied for/secured by Cornwall Council or any of the 6 previous councils. In relation the Empty Property Strategy this change will not have a dramatic effect. EDMO powers are only one of the powers available to the Council to bring problem long term empty properties back into use. After all informal avenues have been explored the use of enforcement action will be considered and the most suitable power identified. The changes outlined by Mr Pickles are likely to result in EDMO powers being suitable in fewer cases."