The practice took off during the real-estate boom of the 2000s, as developers flush with cash, working with investment-hungry town governments, turned so-called underutilized properties into big-box retail stores and in many cases upscale residential-commercial developments.

WSJ: Battle of the Beach

Shelter campaigned for EDMOs to be introduced, but told BBC Radio 4's Money Box programme that it fears the number of properties brought back into the rental market will remain small unless the government acts.

BBC: Cash boost call for empty homes

York Labour councillor David Horton told Money Box he believes EDMOs would be appropriate for an estimated 40 properties in the town, and is frustrated that no action has been taken.

BBC: Cash boost call for empty homes