EHN response to proposals to amend EDMO legislation - 3rd version

We've now published the third and probably final draft of our response to the informal consultation (click link to view) on the proposals to change the EDMO legislation, There have been some significant changes since the last version.

• Proposals around rent levels and costs of storing furniture have been dropped in the light of further discussions within EHN about what the current legislation actually says.
• Whilst we are still opposing the extension of the qualifying period to two years, we are attempting to make the best of a bad job by suggesting the best way to do it. The most obvious approach would prevent councils tackling an empty for two years after it had been squatted: we show how to avoid that outcome by using a different approach.
• We are arguing for brief periods of occupation (up to 6 weeks) to be ignored. This is in line with Council Tax legislation on exemptions, so maintains consistency, and is designed to prevent legitimate interventions being frustrated by owners claimig trivial or fictitious periods of occupation.

The consultation exercise has now been extended by 4 weeks to 11th February 2011. As before, comments can be submitted by members in the EDMO forum.