Sandwell councillors will consider immediate borough-wide planning controls for small HMOs on 14th October, but no Direction has yet been made.
Sandwell HMO Article 4 plan goes to Cabinet
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HMO News
HMO planning questions go well beyond counting bedrooms. Our reports cover occupancy, living conditions, evidence of lawful use and Article 4 directions affecting shared houses. We keep planning issues distinct from licensing, and explain why a successful appeal at one property does not automatically settle the position at another.For the background and current guidance, see Use Class C4 and HMOs and HMO bedroom sizes.
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Latest planning news
Hove 47-person HMO wins two-year permission
Brighton & Hove backs a temporary 47-person HMO in a former school despite concentration and community-use policy conflicts.
Awaab’s Law consultation opens for private landlords
England consults on extending Awaab’s Law to private landlords, with serious hazard repairs and supported accommodation under scrutiny until 18th December.
York HMO appeal wins despite 18.87% street concentration
An Inspector allows York St John University to convert offices into a five-person HMO despite the council citing nearby HMO concentration.
Liverpool HMO lawful use upheld despite occupancy gaps
A Liverpool inspector has confirmed that established C4 HMO use need not be continuously occupied after an Article 4 Direction takes effect.
York HMO appeal allows seventh occupant despite parking
A York Inspector allows a seven-person HMO despite a parking shortfall, limiting guidance designed primarily for family-house conversions.
Bournemouth HMO appeal backs seventh occupant
An inspector has allowed a seventh occupant at a Bournemouth HMO, finding limited neighbourhood impact and accepting mitigation for protected heathland.
Dacorum HMO appeal allows C4 use but rejects door works
An Inspector has certified a six-person HMO change of use as lawful but rejected associated doors and internal works under permitted development rules.
Stoke HMO Article 4 approved for 23rd October start
Stoke-on-Trent has approved city-wide HMO Article 4 controls for 23rd October, but the executed Direction and statutory notice remain outstanding.
Tonbridge HMO Article 4: immediate Direction approved
Cabinet has approved making an immediate HMO Article 4 Direction for mapped parts of Tonbridge, Snodland and East Malling, subject to call-in.
Liverpool HMO appeal wins on pre-Article 4 evidence
A Liverpool HMO appeal succeeds after tenancy, licence and building evidence shows a six-person HMO existed before Article 4 controls.
Welsh HMO licensing papers reveal live policy debate
Welsh Government HMO papers reveal live policy work on consultation and public participation while key legal advice remains privileged.
HMO appeal: 7-bed scheme wins despite family housing loss
A Birmingham HMO appeal succeeds despite accepted family housing loss after the Inspector applies the August 2026 NPPF balance.
Redcar HMO Article 4 takes effect across Coatham
Coatham’s confirmed Article 4 Direction is now in force, bringing new C3-to-C4 HMO conversions under local planning control.
Six-person HMO appeal wins as three nearby HMOs fail to show overconcentration
A South Shields six-person HMO appeal succeeds after the Inspector finds three nearby HMOs insufficient to prove harmful overconcentration.
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