Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, further to the written statement of 13 October 2026, HCSWS363, on Improving housing availability and affordability, whether local housing authorities obtaining an Empty Dwelling Management Order from a Residential Property Tribunal include the right to possession of the furniture of that dwelling.

The reforms to Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMO) announced on 27 September 2026 have not changed the rules on possession of furniture.

As set out in paragraph 20 of Schedule 7 to the Housing Act 2004, the local authority will have the right to possession of the furniture of that dwelling for the duration of the order beginning on the date that the EDMO comes into effect. The homeowner will have the ability to remove their furniture before the order comes into effect. If the homeowner wants to take possession of any items of furniture after an EDMO has come into force the local authority must comply with the request as long as the dwelling has not already become occupied.

While the EDMO is in effect, should the local authority renounce its right to the possession of the furniture they must make appropriate arrangements for its storage at their own cost.