England consults on extending Awaab’s Law to private landlords, with serious hazard repairs and supported accommodation under scrutiny until 18th December.
Awaab’s Law consultation opens for private landlords
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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
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 plan targets five areas
Tonbridge & Malling is considering HMO controls across parts of Tonbridge, Snodland and East Malling after a new evidence review.
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.
Liverpool HMO Article 4 plan targets whole city after sharp 57% rise
Liverpool proposes immediate HMO controls in five pressure areas and a second non-immediate Direction for the rest of the city from October 2027.
31-unit HMO extension appeal fails over daylight to existing rooms
An Ealing HMO extension for two extra units is dismissed after the Inspector finds unacceptable daylight and outlook harm to existing occupiers.
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