Stockport Council is expected to make decisions next month on a borough-wide policy that would require all houses of multiple occupation (HMO) to go through the planning process, following what an officer report described as a 'significant increase' in small HMO developments.
While the number of HMOs in Stockport is lower than in Salford and Manchester, which have large student populations, residents have called for tighter rules. Concerns were previously raised by people living in Portwood that their 'tight knit community' was changing because of new HMOs.
What are HMOs and why do they matter?
HMOs are houses where multiple unrelated people live together. They can provide more affordable and flexible accommodation for young professionals and students, but they often raise concerns from nearby residents over parking, waste, who might be living there, and other issues.
Introducing a policy that requires all HMOs to go through the planning process would enable the council to better evaluate the impact of any new HMOs and provide greater transparency for the public.
Evidence for a borough-wide approach
More evidence will be needed before any policy can be introduced, but an officer report said there was 'a sufficiently strong justification' for a 'borough wide' policy, adding: "This is due to the significant increase in recent small HMO developments coming forward as permitted development."
Small units are reportedly being converted without any planning oversight, including over the concentration of HMOs in an area. The report said: "It is therefore considered that an immediate Article 4 Direction is essential to the proper management of this type of development in order to help protect the amenity of existing residents and future occupiers."
The council is looking to go borough wide because officers believe introducing restrictions in areas like Edgeley, the town centre, as well as Davenport and Cale Green would just push developments into other areas.
Growth in HMO numbers
In 2017, there were 28 licensed HMOs in the borough, but by 2025 this had increased to 143. Davenport and Cale Green has the most HMOs in the borough, followed by Brinnington and Stockport Central. Other areas with higher numbers of HMOs include Edgeley, Manor, Offerton, Reddish North, and Reddish South.
Coun Jake Austin, cabinet member for housing and environment at Stockport Council, previously told the Manchester Evening News he recognised the concerns people had around HMOs, adding: "If they are of good quality and well maintained, HMOs can play a role in meeting the borough's housing needs through affordable accommodation.
"However, we also know that where there are growing numbers of HMOs in one area, particularly where properties are not well managed, concerns are raised about the impact on neighbourhoods and community cohesion. We know this is an important issue, and we are listening.
"That's why I have already asked officers to consider what options are available to help protect communities while continuing to manage future housing growth and meet local housing need."
