Jul

LATEST: Councils mount ‘flurry’ of new initiatives to regulate HMOs

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Councils around the country are launching a flurry of HMO rules and proposals – in York, North Northamptonshire and Hounslow.

York Council hopes to introduce additional HMO licensing in eight of the city’s wards: Hull Road, Guildhall, Fishergate, Clifton, Heworth, Micklegate, Osbaldwick and Derwent, Fulford and Heslington.

This would increase the number of properties needing a licence from about 1,000 to 3,000, in a scheme scheduled to start in April 2023.

The council aims to improve health and safety standards and HMO management after a consultation shaped new recommendations in a report which will go to the council’s executive on 28th July.

In North Northamptonshire, residents are being asked to take part in a two-month public consultation to explain how they’ve been affected by HMOs.

They can even pinpoint specific properties where they have had issues. It follows a council plan to scrutinise the level of HMOs in six key areas: Kingswood and Hazel Leys, Corby West, Clover Hill and Northall in Kettering, Finedon, and Croyland and Swanspool in Wellingborough.

The council says it wants to work with landlords, tenants and other stakeholders to use “the whole suite of regulation and planning requirements”, which could include an Article 4 direction.

Read more: Ultimate guide to HMOs.

Meanwhile, Hounslow Council has introduced an Article 4 direction for landlords wanting planning permission to covert family homes into HMOs. It says the new measure – which takes effect in a year’s time – aims to address increasing concerns among residents about the negative impact of HMOs in their local communities, which have been blighted by an increased level of anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and noise.

Councillor Tom Bruce (pictured), cabinet member for regeneration and development, says: “It’s clear that many HMOs are having a detrimental impact on the local community and this new measure will ensure thorough oversight – protecting both the tenants in HMOs and the communities that surround them.”

A consultation runs until 9th September.