Wirral councillors have unanimously backed plans to explore tougher rules on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), following a claim that the borough is "under threat" from their proliferation.
At a full council meeting on October 12, members supported the principle of introducing stricter controls, asking the council's chief planner to examine the case for an Article 4 Direction. Such a direction would require planning permission in all cases before a house can be converted into an HMO, across all parts of Wirral.
Current system allows smaller HMOs without permission
Under the current planning system in most of Wirral, smaller HMOs can be created without 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.
Motion amended by other parties
The Conservative motion was amended by the Greens, Labour, and the Liberal Democrats. Labour and the Lib Dems removed a reference to HMOs being "ideally suited to providing undocumented accommodation to those who have no legal status to live in the UK."
The Green Party amendment linked the rise in HMOs to the previous Conservative government's "failure to provide sufficient housing."
Green councillor Pat Cleary said: "I know from my own ward that the rise in HMOs is putting increasing pressure on local communities. It is frequently raised as an issue of concern and is undermining the character of many places. There is a place for HMOs but their exponential growth is a symptom of a failing housing market that puts profit first and reflects the failure of successive governments to effectively plan and deliver the housing this country needs."
Next steps and reaction
Cllr Gardner told the ECHO he is "delighted" his motion passed through the chamber. He added: "It's not about less or more HMOs, it's about control. Let's get control of how many HMOs there are, and where they are. It's really sensible."
The motion refers the matter to the chief planner to bring back relevant information and present it at a later date.
