Liverpool plans citywide HMO crackdown
The city council wants to bring in stricter measures to control the development of houses in multiple occupation to curb harm to neighbourhoods.
Next week, Liverpool City Council’s cabinet will discuss whether or not to implement Article 4 directions covering the whole of the city.
The new rules would remove permitted development rights for small HMOs, which allow for conversions to be carried out without the need for planning consent.
If approved, the move will mean that planning permission will be required to convert a house anywhere in Liverpool into a small HMO, which can provide homes for up to six unrelated people.
A report to Liverpool City Council’s cabinet states that HMOs are recognised as being an important part of the Liverpool’s housing market but that “the cumulative impact of excessive concentrations within any given area in the city can harm the character and amenity of the wider neighbourhood and can result in houses required to meet family needs being taken out of Liverpool’s housing stock”.
Such controls have been in place in the city centre since 2021. However, the measures being discussed next Tuesday would also remove PD rights for small HMOs in places like Speke, Croxteth, and Vauxhall, which are not currently governed by an Article 4.
A study found that the existing Article 4 has been effective in curbing HMO development but that the rate that HMOs are being created outside of the controlled area was rapid.
The city council said that, although most HMOs remain within the existing Article 4 area, the number of small HMOs grew by 15% inside the boundary over a three-year period, compared with 57% elsewhere in the city.
In some places, the expanded Article 4 direction would come into force immediately. These are:
- Kirkdale, Everton, County, Walton, Orrell Park and part of Fazakerley
- Part of Tuebrook Larkhill
- Old Swan and part ofStoneycroft
- Penny Lane and part of Calderstones
- St Michaels and Sefton Park
However, the majority of the stricter measures will not apply for another 12 months.
Cllr Nick Small, cabinet member for growth and economy, said: “HMOs play an important role in meeting Liverpool’s housing needs, but we must be able to manage where new properties are created and prevent excessive concentrations from placing unfair pressure on individual neighbourhoods.
“These proposals would give us greater oversight of new HMOs, helping to protect family housing and ensure our communities remain balanced and sustainable.
“This will mean that all proposals are properly considered through the planning process, taking account of their location and potential impact on residents and local services.”
Liverpool is the latest in a long line of councils across the country that have recently sought to strengthen HMO controls.
