Midland council says it is clamping down on HMOs
Telford & Wrekin Council's recently unveiled draft housing strategy is currently open for consultation, with a variety of measures being considered across different types of housing.
Despite HMOs often offering a more affordable housing solution in the borough, they have frequently been linked with anti-social behaviour, overcrowding and parking issues. The borough council has now confirmed it is 'building on an evidence base for the introduction of further licensing schemes and 'Article 4 directions'.
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In other council areas, such as Wrekin and Birmingham, Article 4 directions (A4D) mean that homeowners wishing to transform houses into HMOs for up to six tenants lose permitted development rights and must apply for planning permission. A4Ds are already operational in some industrial estates in Telford and in the Ironbridge Gorge, where they regulate the change of use from commercial buildings to residential properties.
Telford and Wrekin's draft housing strategy states: "While it is difficult to quantify the extent of shared accommodation in the borough, we have seen an increase in licensed houses in multiple occupation (HMO).
"We now have 280 licensed HMOs in the borough. This is a 16 per cent increase since the adoption of our last strategy.
"HMOs provide a vital housing solution for those seeking to establish their first home, starting employment or study and for those who only qualify for the shared room rate housing benefit."
The authority also employs a "multi-agency data led approach" to take "targeted action to address the activities of poorer performing landlords leading to more than 30 prosecutions and penalty offences".
The draft blueprint for the coming five years states that the council will "continue mandatory HMO licensing in the borough and ensure compliance with licence conditions".
It plans "to continue to monitor and manage the number of HMOs in the borough building on an evidence base for the introduction for further licensing schemes and Article 4 directions".
The blueprint also seeks to establish 'programmes of education' in key estates, to "limit any negative impacts of HMOs, such as overcrowding and anti-social behaviour".
Elsewhere, Walsall held consultations on an A4D at the close of 2024, acknowledging that HMOs had "not been regulated or managed effectively".
Walsall Council's cabinet gave the green light to implementing the Article 4 Direction in June this year and will roll it out on October 1.
This will require anyone wanting to develop an HMO in Walsall to secure planning permission first.
Dudley Council brought in an A4D in 2023 whilst Birmingham has operated one for several years. Telford & Wrekin Council is still some distance from reaching the initial stage in the process of securing an A4D for HMOs, but it has confirmed that progress is being made.
A council spokesperson had no further comment to make.
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