The charity Cruse Bereavement Care and the Empty Homes Agency (EHA) have joined forces to speak out against reports of the negative effect new empty homes laws will have on bereaved families.

Anne Viney, chief executive of Cruse Bereavement Care says the charity is pleased it was approached by the EHA and hopes the organisations can reassure the bereaved and campaign for balanced press.

These concerns follow the introduction of Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMO) which give local authorities power to seize homes which have been empty for certain periods of time, to use to house council tenants.

Jonathan Ellis, EHA chief executive said: "One claim was homes of the deceased can be taken over from as soon as six months from the death of the owner.

"This is untrue. Inherited properties are exempt while probate is resolved, however long this takes and for a further six months after grant of representation has been obtained.

"In most cases the property would then continue to be exempt, for example, if the property was marketed for sale or rent, or if it was used as a holiday home.

"All of us can relate to the emotion and complexity of dealing with a loved one's property.

"These new powers are only designed to be used by councils where there is clear proof the owner has no intention of bringing the property back into use and has turned down offers of assistance from the council.

"It is only then a council could even consider requesting an EDMO."

Mr Ellis hope to make it clear there are exemptions with these new powers to protect bereaved people.

Cruse and the EHA say people are worried by press coverage claiming furniture or heirlooms can be seized.

Although the orders do grant the responsibility of looking after any contents in a property, where an EDMO has been made, to the local authority, they have to give it back at the owner's request.

For more information, visit the charity's website cruse.org.uk or EHA at empty homes.com