An EDMO gives the local authority the right to possess a private unoccupied property that has been empty for a minimum of 2 years, without affecting the right of ownership. The authority must try and work with the owner to bring the property back into use, if that fails, the EDMO is granted. Any works carried out to the property is funded by the authority and recouped through rent proceeds.

EDMO’s are spilt into two parts, interim and final. The interim EDMO gives the homeowner 12 months to work with the authority and bring the property back into use. If no agreement is reached within that timeframe a final EDMO can be issued lasting for 7 years.