Sefton Council is proposing to implement a legal order to give local people more influence over properties being used for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

The order – known as an Article 4 Direction – would mean any plans to turn a house into an HMO would have to seek planning permission. 

Just a couple of months after issuing a similar order for Aintree, the council is now seeking to apply it to the whole borough, as residents have continued to raise concerns about HMOs.

Councillor Marion Atkinson, leader of Sefton Council, said: “Since taking action across the borough, and more latterly in Aintree,  we have seen a huge number of people come forward in support of what we have done. Residents in other parts of the borough are now calling for similar action, which is why we have decided to take this unusual step.

“HMOs do play a role in our community, and this move would not prevent a HMO from being created – instead it puts an extra check and balance in place by requiring planning permission so local people can have a say on any plans that are put forward.

“The key thing is that local people should have an input into what’s happening in their community, and we think this is something that should be tackled nationally but for the time being this would be us as a council doing all what we can to listen to our residents.”

Article 4 Directions are already currently in operation and apply in certain parts of Sefton including Southport, Bootle, Seaforth, Litherland and Waterloo.

To put the order in place, evidence must demonstrate why it is required. In this case, the council said it is felt that there is sufficient evidence including:

• Impact on the character of the borough and quality of life for residents 
• The quality of the HMOs in areas of the borough
• The pressure concentrated numbers of HMOs may put on public services such as doctors, dentists and congestion on the roads.

Atkinson added: “We know this is really important for residents so we will use our urgency powers to take this to our next cabinet meeting in October.

“This would very much be a pre-emptive move given the concerns of residents and I hope it reassures them we are looking to act in their best interests.

“In the longer term we think this is an issue that needs addressing nationally and for there to be a better way to manage changes in local communities so residents can have an influence on what happens in their local neighbourhood.

It is expected that a decision on this would be taken at October’s Cabinet meeting.