A public consultation is underway to get feedback on changes to rules which would prevent landlords and property developers turning some residential homes into HMOs without full planning permission.

Coventry council has set up the process to get public views on its desire to secure Article 4 Direction, therefore requiring full planning consent before a house becomes an HMO.

It would place restrictions on residential property conversions in 11 of out 18 wards in the city.

The council claims that this legislation “prevents any unnecessary and avoidable displacement of families searching for properties and provides opportunities those looking to get onto the property ladder by limiting the number of HMOs in certain wards, and ensuring that they are not located so closely together.”

The consultation runs until November 15 and people can have their say online or at a series of meetings.