New rules introduced by a council in south east England will prevent smaller homes from being converted into Houses of Multiple Occupation in three wards.
The rules mean that proposals to convert houses into HMOs will need to go through Arun council’s normal planning process, rather than being allowed under ‘permitted development’.
This will prevent buildings in parts of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton from being turned into small HMOs.
The new rules, called Article 4 directions, are a planning tool that can be used in a local area to remove ‘permitted development rights’ for certain types of development, so that planning permission must be obtained before development can take place. They are used to place restrictions on residential property conversions in areas which already have high levels of HMOs.
A council spokesman says: “This is great news for Arun. These changes will allow the council to protect the quality of our natural and built environment as a planning application will now need to be made before converting a house into an HMO for up to six people. This will allow us to better manage the creation of HMOs and their impact on the wellbeing of the community in these three wards.
“We understand the need for development, but as we say in our council vision, it’s about delivering the right homes in the right places.”
‘Small’ HMOs of up to six people are called C4 use class. The Article 4 direction means that any proposed development or conversion of property in the three wards named to make a C4 HMO must now be subject to making a planning application for the council to determine.
Want to comment on this story? Our focus is on providing a platform for you to share your insights and views and we welcome contributions.
If any post is considered to victimise, harass, degrade or intimidate an individual or group of individuals, then the post may be deleted and the individual immediately banned from posting in future.
Please help us by reporting comments you consider to be unduly offensive so we can review and take action if necessary. Thank you.
Landlords converting a property of any size to rent out on...
A council says it’s going to introduce stricter regulations for HMOs...
A Midlands city is starting consultation on a major extension of...
Limits to the number of homes being converted into Houses in...
The vast majority of tenants are unaware of new laws introduced...
Despite the recent tax crackdown, buy-to-let continues to look an attractive...
The property market had enjoyed a boost thanks to the outcome...
There wasn’t much by way of good news in the Spring...
National Landlord Investment Show has announced that the former Leader of...
Twenty twenty-four is a pivotal year for landlords in the Private...
The management of BTL properties, whether it's a modest collection of...
We are thrilled to report that the first National Landlord Investment...
If interest rate rises weren’t enough to drive landlords out the...
Landlords play a crucial role in providing safe and comfortable housing...
.jpg)
Calling all landlords, Investors and property professionals: National Landlord Investment Show...
A recent survey by digital mortgage lender, Molo, revealed that nearly...
In the buy to let market, success goes beyond the transaction...
Mohammed Sharaz, a landlord from Bradford, recently seized an opportunity to...
We believe a well-functioning housing system is one that meets everyone’s...
It’s not just the weather that’s wet and dreary – the...
As the ‘big buy-to-let’ sell off gathers momentum, we take a...
The challenges facing the property market right now are well reported;...
If you are a landlord looking for the silver lining in...
This year is set to bring sweeping rental reforms that will...
Landlords are exiting the market in droves. According to an accountancy firm...
%20(002).png)
Newable Finance, the finance brokerage & advisory arm of Newable, launches...
As landlords continue to exit the market, there seems to be...
Homes in the rental sector are more likely to have old...
A council has prosecuted a landlord for letting out two HMOs...
The Labour-led government in Wales has issued a consultation proposing the...
Another council is looking for landlords with rental properties to match...
Another council is looking for landlords with rental properties to match...
.png)
Landlords and renters’ activists are at either end of the spectrum...
A prominent lettings sector expert is blaming the media for anti-landlord...
Who are you and what does it say on...
Who are you, and what does it say on...
Who are you? I am the Head of Broking for...
Join the conversation
Jump to latest comment and add your reply
Overheard in a Council "planning" meeting:
How can we fix the shortage of rental properties?
How about banning 3 unrelated adults from sharing a 3 bedroom house?
That means we'll need 3 houses to house 6 people where previously 2 houses would do.
That's sounds good. It's a 50% increase in um........anyone got a calculator?
Great news for landlords who already operate HMOs in those areas. Within a year of Article 4 commencing those houses will be worth significantly more than neighbouring properties that don't have the right to be rented by 3 or more unrelated tenants.
Really bad news for prospective future tenants and existing owner occupiers. Suddenly houses without full letting rights become much, much harder to sell.
All my houses are licensed some 1,2,3, & 4 times didn’t see at any advantage just a lot of costs
The main advantage will be when you sell but you should also get higher rents currently.
Please login to comment