Liverpool City Council's Cabinet will be asked on Tuesday, 13 October to approve new planning controls over Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) conversions in eight areas of the city.
The proposed Article 4 Directions would require planning permission before a family home can be converted into a small HMO accommodating between three and six unrelated people who share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom. Under current national rules, this type of conversion can generally take place without permission unless an Article 4 Direction is in force.
The controls would apply immediately to five areas where evidence has identified growing concentrations of HMOs: Kirkdale, Everton, County, Walton, Orrell Park and part of Fazakerley; part of Tuebrook Larkhill Old Swan and part of Stoneycroft; Penny Lane and part of Calderstones; and St Michaels and Sefton Park.
What the controls will do
Article 4 Directions do not ban HMOs. Instead, they remove the automatic right to convert a family home into a small HMO, allowing the Council to consider each proposal through the planning process. Planners would assess issues including the concentration of existing HMOs, the loss of family housing, effects on neighbourhood character and pressures on parking, waste services, and community facilities.
Larger HMOs accommodating more than six people already require planning permission.
Current HMO numbers in Liverpool
A Council assessment reports that HMOs represent between 3% and 4.6% of the city's housing stock. 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.
Public support for the plans
A city-wide residents' survey conducted during August and early September received 1,070 responses. More than four in five respondents supported extending Article 4 controls, with protecting family housing, residential amenity and neighbourhood character among the most cited reasons.
Next steps
Subject to Cabinet approval, the Council would publish the proposed Directions and begin a statutory consultation. Residents, businesses and other interested parties would be able to submit representations, which would be considered before Cabinet decides whether to confirm the Directions.
Councillor Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy, said the proposals would "give us greater oversight of new HMOs, helping to protect family housing and ensure our communities remain balanced and sustainable." Councillor Hetty Wood, Cabinet Member for Housing, said the Council wanted to "make sure communities remain balanced and that local residents have confidence that new developments are being carefully considered."
