0:02 AM, 7th October 2024, About A year ago
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A council will use new powers to curb the spread of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in designated areas.
Rugby Borough Council has announced the introduction of these powers, known as Article 4 Directions, under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015.
The direction is set to come into force in February 2025, which means landlords must apply for planning permission before converting the use of a main home into an HMO. Under Article 4 directions the council could refuse permission.
An industry body warns that the new restrictions could lead to unintended consequences.
The direction will apply to all homes in the following council wards in Rugby: Benn, Coton and Boughton, Eastlands, New Bilton, and Newbold and Brownsover.
Cllr Louise Robinson, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for growth, investment, digital and communications, says larger HMOs already have planning permission, unlike smaller HMOs.
She said: “When developers convert a dwelling house into a small HMO under permitted development rights, the council currently has no way of keeping a record of how many small HMOs have been developed or the location of those HMOs.
“By bringing small HMOs into the planning process, we can consider each application against both national and local planning policies while also giving residents the opportunity to comment on applications before the council considers whether to recommend or refuse the plans.”
A Propertymark spokesperson warns HMOs may increase in locations outside the restricted areas.
The spokesperson said: “The early uses of this new planning power will be watched closely by the sector to evaluate how successful it is in making more homes available for residents.
“Most obviously, the Direction may simply cause HMOs to proliferate in areas not covered by the restrictions, replicating the problem elsewhere. It is also probable that house prices will be impacted by controls on the way owners can use their properties.”
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