An Inspector approves a five-bedroom HMO at a former Preston religious retreat but rejects a separate claim for appeal costs.
Preston HMO appeal allowed but costs claim refused
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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
Four South Shields HMO appeals allowed
Four appeals allow two pairs of South Shields flats to become HMOs after scrutiny of clustering, parking and Policy 16.
Rental property register: new guidance for landlords
New government guidance explains England’s landlord register, agents’ responsibilities, HMO records, regional deadlines and the proposed annual fee.
HMO enforcement appeal: friends defeat Haringey notice
Haringey’s HMO enforcement notice is quashed after an Inspector finds four unrelated tenants formed one household under planning law.
Exeter HMO lawfulness appeal fails over third household
An Exeter HMO certificate appeal fails after an Inspector finds that adding a third independent household materially changed the use of a terraced home.
Newport Deposit Plan opens on 10,911-home strategy
Newport’s Deposit Plan consultation opens with 10,911 homes, four growth areas, affordable housing targets and a proposed 12% HMO concentration test.
Bristol HMO appeal allowed at 10.05% concentration
An office-to-HMO conversion for three people wins permission despite Bristol’s 10% concentration threshold, but the applicant’s claim for costs is refused.
Liverpool HMO call-in delays new Article 4 planning controls
Liverpool councillors will scrutinise the Cabinet’s new HMO Article 4 plans on 29th October, delaying implementation while the decision is reviewed.
Ashford HMO controls move forward after council vote
Ashford councillors back evidence gathering for wider HMO planning controls, but no new Article 4 Direction has been made.
Cambridge HMO controls approved
Cabinet has approved preparation of city HMO controls, but no Article 4 Direction has yet been made or taken effect.
Tonbridge HMO controls now in force
Immediate controls now require planning permission for new small HMO conversions in mapped parts of Tonbridge, Snodland and East Malling.
North Warwickshire controls start
North Warwickshire’s borough-wide HMO planning controls have applied since 2nd March 2026, according to the council’s sealed Direction.
Article 4 appeal allows six-person Greenwich HMO
An Inspector allowed a six-person HMO in Plumstead despite an Article 4 Direction, finding insufficient evidence of harm to neighbours or housing mix.
Bristol HMO appeal allowed with partial costs award
An eight-person HMO has won its Bristol planning appeal, with the council ordered to pay partial costs over two unsupported refusal reasons.
Portsmouth HMO appeal wins and secures partial costs
A seven-person Southsea HMO wins permission despite local saturation figures, while Portsmouth faces a partial award of appeal costs.
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