Residents in Portwood, Stockport, fear their 'tight knit community' is changing forever due to a rise in houses of multiple occupation (HMOs). Robert Burnett, whose neighbour is converting a property into a five-bed HMO, said he has 'never been treated like this' and accused Stockport Council of doing nothing to address the problems.
Concerns over parking and rubbish
Mr Burnett and other residents have raised issues including traffic congestion on 'already clogged up streets', a lack of play areas, and a 'rubbish tip' next door. He said: 'We are a little estate but we seem to have become the epicentre. Two shops and no play area but other areas do not have any HMOs. Either the whole country takes part but you have some posh areas like Bramhall that do not have any. It's not fair.'
Out of 21 council wards in Stockport, less than one in ten HMOs are in Portwood and the wider Brinnington and Central ward, suggesting above-average concentration.
Planning permission loophole
Under current UK law, HMOs housing fewer than seven people do not require planning permission. Councils can introduce an Article 4 direction to require permission, but Stockport Council has not yet done so, despite motions dating back to 2022. A new plan is promised to strengthen policy, and on July 9, Coun Jake Austin said options would be brought before councillors.
Mr Burnett said the council had 'just fobbed me off' and added: 'If that is what the law says then the law needs changing.' He noted that he would need planning permission for a conservatory, but HMO conversions can proceed without scrutiny.
Builders' actions criticised
Mr Burnett complained that builders 'threw rubble out of upstairs windows and patio doors', creating a mess that could attract rats. In June, a shared passageway was dug up without his permission, preventing him from putting out his bins. He said: 'My neighbour nearly had an accident on Sunday evening when she went to check if any of my bins needed emptying.'
The builders have since confirmed they are no longer involved in the project.
Local councillors respond
Reform councillor Shaun Regan said: 'The area already has a high number of HMOs, and residents questioned the impact on parking, local services, and the standard of some of the work being carried out.' He added: 'This is exactly the sort of thing that frustrates local people. Residents often face hurdles when making relatively small changes to their own homes, yet conversions like this can proceed with no public scrutiny or consultation.'
He criticised the Liberal Democrat council for not voting to bring in restrictions, noting there are around 150 licensed HMOs in Stockport, with more appearing every month.
Labour councillor Christine Carrigan said HMOs 'must be in the right places, in the right numbers, and managed to a high standard'. She added: 'Too often, however, we see areas becoming saturated with HMOs, placing additional pressure on communities and changing the character of neighbourhoods. That isn't fair on existing residents, and it isn't good housing policy.'
Council response
Coun Jake Austin, cabinet member for housing and environment, said: 'We recognise the concerns residents have raised about the proposed HMO in Portwood and the impact that high concentrations of HMOs can have in some communities.' He noted that the council is gathering evidence to consider Article 4 intervention to further regulate HMOs. In this case, the proposed use falls within national permitted development rights and does not require planning permission.
