Council admits taking “really hard line” on HMOs

A council is boasting that it’s taking a "really hard line” over HMO regulation.

New rules in Blackburn with Darwen prevent family homes from being converted to HMOs without planning permission after councillors voted to support an Article 4 Direction.

Before the new regulations were introduced, houses in many parts of the borough could be changed into HMOs without the need for applying for planning permission.

Now, they’ll only be allowed as an exception.

A council spokesperson says: “We wanted to take a real hard line on HMOs in our borough.

“Whilst the planning actions taken so far to resist additional HMO approvals in designated areas are considered to have been successful, there have been increasing concerns, from across the Council, that the number of HMO beds in the borough is still growing.

“Currently, we estimate that there are around 1,000 bed spaces in HMOs here which is far more than our neighbouring boroughs and disproportionate to our local needs.”

The council claims that previous Article 4 Directions, introduced in 2013, have proven successful in selected wards across the borough.

Now the restrictions have been extended to cover the whole urban area of the borough.

The spokesperson continues: “For many owners, the HMOs are incredibly lucrative, but the sheer number of them is having a negative impact on our borough and we knew we needed to take further action to stop that.

“These new powers mean we can take a much tougher stance on HMOs, which we know can be a magnet for anti-social behaviour and often are in need of improved standards.

“It’s a really good step in the right direction as we work hard to build healthier, happier and safer communities.”

The Council received almost £1m of Government funding to give new ways to help tenants in supported housing along with new enforcement measures and crack down on what it calls “unscrupulous landlords.”

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