Wirral councillors back tougher rules on Houses in Multiple Occupation

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 06:03 · Archive

Wirral councillors have unanimously backed plans to introduce tougher regulations on Houses in Multiple Occupation.

Wirral councillors unanimously supported the principle of introducing tougher rules on Houses in Multiple Occupation at the council's full meeting on 12 October. Under the current planning system in most parts of Wirral, smaller HMOs can be created without needing planning permission. This means the council and residents are often unable to influence or track changes made to homes in the borough.

Conservative councillor Andrew Gardner, who brought the motion forward, said the borough is 'under threat' with HMOs 'popping up' without consent being needed. He stressed that the motion asks the chief planner to examine the case for introducing an Article 4 Direction, which would require permission to be granted in all cases to turn a house into a HMO across all parts of Wirral, and to present findings at a later date.

The Conservative motion was amended by the Greens, Labour and the Liberal Democrats before being unanimously supported.

How it is being reported

• Calls for tougher rules on HMOs 'popping up' across Wirralone councillor claimed the "borough is under threat" from Houses in Multiple OccupationLiverpool Echo · 15 Oct, 05:00
• Wirral councillors back tougher HMO rules across the boroughPlans to introduce tougher rules on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Wirral have been backed by councillors. A councillor has claimed the borough is “under threat” by the proliferation of HMOs and the council should have more control over where and when they can be set up.Wirral Globe · 15 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Wirral · Andrew Gardner

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