The previous government introduced new planning legislation which meant that landlords had to submit a planning application to rent their properties to unrelated tenants - known as Houses in Multiple Occupation. Regulations published last month remove this requirement and make it easy for landlords to establish HMOs.
The amendments came into force on 1 October.
Councils have the right to apply for an 'article 4 direction' in some or all of their area which requires landlords to seek planning permission for HMOs. This provision is in place for areas where HMOs have been particularly prevalent. I've been told, though have not verified, that Leeds City Council have applied for a citywide article 4 direction.
I have written to Cllr Nilgun Canver to ask her if there are any plans to apply for such a direction for Harringay.
Thanks to HoL member Helen (you know who you are) for tipping me the wink on this one.
Tags for Forum Posts: HMOs Article 4, hmos, new hmo controls, 2011
The issue of HMOs and their appropriate control is being looked at and improved by the Council’s corporate HMO and Conversions Working Party that I chair. The Working Group will be meeting in early December to discuss the impact of the new legislation, and the pros and cons of utilising Article 4 directions to control HMO numbers and quality in Haringey.
We are aware that setting Article 4 directions in general is a resource intensive process, and there may be other controls and processes that may be cheaper to run and more effective, for example; using the discretionary licensing powers that are available to us. This will certainly be applicable to Harringay ward.
As you’re aware we have carried out an intensive evidence gathering audit during the pilot project. It was a stepping stone to enable us to get to phase two where we can use the discretionary powers.
I have today written to Nilgun Canver asking for an update in line with the timescale she gave me previously.
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