Council’s HMO controls coming despite licensing challenge

A council says it is pressing ahead with new planning controls for HMOs even though its bid to bring in additional landlord licensing has been paused.

From February 2027, an Article 4 Direction will mean planning permission is required for all new HMOs.

Telford and Wrekin Council says the move will give it more control over where shared homes are created and allow it to consider their impact on neighbourhoods and local services.

Meanwhile, proposals to introduce additional licensing for smaller HMOs have been put on hold until next year following a legal challenge from landlords.

New HMO controls

The council’s cabinet member for safer streets and better housing, Cllr Nathan England, said: “Locally, the introduction of Article 4 will give us greater oversight of new HMOs and help ensure growth is managed appropriately for the benefit of residents, landlords and communities.

“At the same time, we have listened carefully to concerns raised by landlords about additional licensing and have taken the decision to pause those proposals for now.”

He added: “We will continue to monitor the impact of the changes already being introduced and revisit the position in 2027 as part of our ongoing commitment to improving housing standards across the borough.

“Our ambition is to lead the way nationally in raising housing standards through our firm and robust approach. It is essential that we do the right thing by our residents.”

Landlord licensing paused

The council had been considering additional licensing for smaller HMOs following a consultation, but the process has now been halted after landlords raised a legal challenge.

Officials will look at the position again next year and add that there will be more time to assess the impact of its Article 4 Direction, along with national housing reforms.

The council says it deals with around 600 requests for housing support every year and carries out 400 inspections.

Its Better Homes for All programme also works with landlords and tenants to improve property conditions and provides support for energy efficiency improvements.

Council enforcement continues

Telford and Wrekin say it will continue to take enforcement action against landlords where poor housing conditions affect tenants or neighbourhoods.

The authority has also brought hundreds of empty homes back into use over the past five years.

From December, landlords in the West Midlands will be among the first required to register their rented properties under the new national system.

The council says the information will give enforcement teams more intelligence when dealing with property standards and landlord compliance.