HMO PLANNING PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD

Changes to planning rules are being put forward, meaning planning permission would be needed to convert properties into houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

The proposals, from the council, would come into effect from 4 February 2012, as the council has to give a year’s notice of its intentions or it could face compensation claims from property owners. It comes after the government introduced new legislation in late 2010, which means that homes can be turned into HMOs for up to six unrelated people without seeking planning permission.

However, the council can use a planning power, called an Article 4 Direction, to ensure that anyone who wants to convert their home into an HMO has to submit a planning application. Under the council’s proposals, this planning power would apply to the whole of the Thanet District.

Cllr. Simon Moores, Cabinet Member for Customer Services and Regulatory Services, said: “The council is already concerned about the number of HMOs we already have in Thanet. All too often, they’re in a poor condition and, because of that, rents tend to be low. That attracts vulnerable people from outside of Thanet into the area, draining public resources and putting them in potentially dangerous accommodation. As many people will no doubt know, many of the HMOs we have are centred in the Cliftonville West area, adding to the deprivation problems there. It’s an issue the council is determined to tackle and this is why we’re looking at using our planning powers to keep control over how many HMOs are created in our area.”

Introducing these powers would not mean a blanket ban on HMOs in Thanet, but it would mean that, before any property is converted into an HMO, planning permission would first be required. There would be no fee for this type of application.

A number of other councils are also going through the same process, including Sheffield, Bristol and Portsmouth.

Local people can give their views on the proposals until Friday 25 March, either by e-mailing planning.services@thanet.gov.uk or by writing to the Director of Regeneration Services, Thanet District Council, PO Box 9, Cecil Street, Margate, Kent CT9 1XZ. The council will then consider these views when deciding whether to go ahead with the changes.

These proposals do not affect the licensing of HMOs. Landlords owning a house in multiple occupation will still have to apply for a licence from the council’s private sector housing team. More details can be found at http://www.thanet.gov.uk/housing/multiple_occupancy_homes/applying_for_a_licence.aspx