Cabinet is to consider the findings of a nine-week public consultation and decide whether to go ahead with plans to tighten planning rules around converting smaller homes into Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
Under proposals being decided by Cabinet when it meets on Wednesday 9 October, developers and landlords would have to apply for planning permission before converting a home into a small HMO. Larger HMOs already require planning permission.
An HMO is a shared house with at least three unrelated tenants who share facilities like bathrooms and kitchens. Currently, people need planning permission to convert a house into an HMO for six or more people, but not for smaller HMOs. This is because converting a property to a small HMO is considered permitted development under national Government planning laws.
Earlier this year, Cabinet approved a proposal to apply to Government for more powers, known as an Article 4 Direction, to regulate HMOs following a study into city wards where residents had raised concerns about the number of shared properties.
A public consultation, which ran from April 2 to May 31, received over 240 written responses. Most people supported the proposal, with only six opposing it.
Supporters of the proposal believed that it would improve housing quality, regulate private landlords, and help prevent problems associated with high concentrations of HMOs, such as anti-social behaviour, crime, parking issues, and strain on local services.
Opponents were concerned that more regulation might limit the availability of housing and that some issues associated with HMOs could be addressed through other means.
If approved, the Direction would come into force in May 2025. The Council will provide guidance to developers and residents about the criteria that will be used to decide whether or not to allow new HMOs.
The proposals apply to smaller C3 (dwelling house) properties in a large part of central Derby, including the whole of Arboretum ward and the parts of Abbey, Alvaston North, Darley, Mackworth and New Zealand, Normanton, Sinfin and Osmaston within the Ring Road.
Councillor Shiraz Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Property and Regulatory Services, said:
We know that it’s never been more important for the Council to ensure that HMO properties provide safety and security to all residents. Shared properties are a useful and affordable option, especially for people whose housing options are limited, such as young professionals, students and those on low incomes.
We need housing but not HMOs in every street. The increasing number of HMOs in certain parts of our city can lead to issues such as anti-social behaviour and crime and increased pressures on parking.
The Article 4 Direction won’t prevent HMOs being created but it will give us more control over how many there are and where.
Cabinet will meet to decide on the proposals on Wednesday 9 October at 2pm. The meeting can be watched live on the Council’s YouTube channel.