Liverpool City Council are reaching the end of a two-month public consultation on reducing the amount of homes that are converted into houses of multiple occupation.
The consultation was launched in December to investigate public opinion on whether the volume of HMOs in the Liverpool City Region is impacting negatively on certain neighbourhoods.
As the student population increases each year, local residents have expressed concerns that the amount of HMOs in their area limit their options for housing and increases levels of anti-social behaviour.
Complaints have been made of waste collection issues as council services are stretched by an increased population who are mostly exempt from paying council tax.
Conversion of homes into HMOs currently requires planning permission for houses of seven bedrooms or more. The council consultation will decide whether to introduce the same rules for HMOs of less than seven bedrooms.
If approved, the new Article 4 Direction would control smaller HMO development in 11 areas of the region:
- Anfield
- Central
- Church Ward
- Greenbank
- Kensington and Fairfield
- Kirkdale Ward
- Picton
- Princes Park
- Riverside
- Tuebrook and Stoneycroft
- Wavertree
Councillor Barry Kushner, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet member for Housing, said: “Residents tell us how they are damaging the fabric and stability of their community. This is hugely important in supporting our communities. We want to hear from residents and businesses about the impact that HMOs are having on them and their neighbourhood.”
Councillor Barry Kushner also said that some communities needed to be protected from HMOs and the council needed to protect the balance in the housing sector.
If Article 4 is approved, it would come into action on April 10 and would not affect existing HMOs.
The deadline for the HMO public consultation is midnight on Friday February 19. The public can have their comment considered by contacting Liverpool City Council:
• Post: Regulatory Team, Legal Services, Liverpool City Council, Cunard Building, Water Street, Liverpool L3 1AH
• E-mail: [email protected]
• Online: https://liverpool.gov.uk/council/consultation-and-engagement/consultation/
Photo credit: Humphrey Bolton
