Shapps lays regulations for new HMO regime

Housing Minister Grant Shapps this week laid regulations setting out the government’s approach to dealing with houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

Landlords currently have to submit a planning application to rent their properties to unrelated tenants.

The government said a blanket approach was unnecessary and a drain on council resources in places where shared homes are not a problem. It also said the rules could be a disincentive for potential landlords and so reduce supply.

The Department for Communities and Local Government said the definition of a small HMO  – the C4 use class – will remain. “Permitted development rights will be extended to allow all changes between the C4 and C3 classes without the need for planning applications,” it said.

The DCLG added that in areas where there is a need to control HMO development, local authorities will be able to use an Article 4 direction to remove these permitted development rights and require planning applications for such changes of use.

The government has promised consultation with interested partners on the issue.

Claiming that the changes would see up to 8,500 planning applications removed from the system, Shapps said: “Councils understand their local area best, and they don't need burdensome rules that assume housing issues in every town, village and hamlet are exactly the same. I am also committed to safeguard the supply of rented housing – shared homes are vital for people who want to live and work in towns and cities, and are important to the economy.

"That's why I'm giving councils greater flexibility to manage shared homes in their local area. Where there are local issues with shared homes, councils will have all the tools they need to deal with the problem – but they will avoid getting bogged down in pointless applications, and landlords won't be put off renting shared homes where they are needed."