"HMOs could be restricted in Portsmouth"
Councils are imposing arcane planning rules in an attempt to stop student landlords opening new shared houses.
Landlords in Portsmouth face a seemingly impossible rule – they cannot switch a family home to a shared house if the number of shared houses in any area is already 10% or more of the number of homes.
One student redevelopment has already been rejected because of the rule as the seven-person house would have meant 30% of houses on the street would be HMOs (Houses in multiple occupation).
The HMO planning strategy is part of a citywide development blueprint before the Communities and Local Government Department for approval. Although the CLG has yet to comment on the rule, the council can impose the guideline until it is approved or rejected. Continue reading HMO Planning Rules Confuse Student Landlords
Electrical wiring in a shared house was so dangerous the property was a firebomb waiting to go off, a court heard.
Pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith has launched a short consultation period asking for views on planned change from landlords, organisations and individuals.
Two Leeds landlords were fined for failing to comply with house in multiple occupation (HMO) regulations.