In fact Article 1 of the first protocol allows the state to deprive individuals of their property and possessions if it is necessary to control the use of property or secure payment of taxes and other charges or penalties.

I think that if it actually came to court that could be used to justify requisitioning unused housing in an emergency. And in advance of any such court case it would be perfectly possible to act on that understanding of the law, and requisition the property.

As has been pointed out, requisitioning is not the same as confiscation or expropriation.

If this has happened a week or so, this might not have been a theoretical exercise, since it is hard to imagine Theresa May having won in the light of this disaster and the shabby way she responded to it.

However if Labour does pursue this option, it is far from sure that the current government would be able to defeat it in the Commons.