tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23339144.post-64964136737685976622007-07-04T14:48:00.000+01:002007-07-04T15:07:25.849+01:00It was a year ago today that local authorities gained the power to use Empty Dwelling Management Orders. The Daily Express claimed that there would be a national purge on empty homes with thousands seized under the new powers. It claimed that the government had built up a war chest that would fund the programme. This, the Express claimed was the single worst act by a British government, TV presenter Kevin McLeod said that with the new powers the UK had effectively become a communist state. The Daily Mail claimed that it was a sinister plot to snatch homes off the dead. All I'm afraid to say a bit over-dramatic. There have been three interim <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">EDMOs</span> made, and no final <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">EDMOs</span>. No properties have been seized. And I don't know what you think but it doesn't feel much like a communist state to me.<br /><br />On the other hand many empty home owners have heard about the new powers and a good number have decided that perhaps they had better do something with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">their</span> property before the council gets <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">their</span> hands on it. Depending on your view that may or may not be a good thing, but it's far cry from the hysterical vision that much of the tabloid press painted a year ago today.Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347022688547349069noreply@blogger.com