Houses In Multiple Occupation: Sept 2010 Update
Between 6 April 2010 and 30 September 2010, Planning Permission was required for the conversion to a House in Multiple Occupation (“HMO”) where there was a “material change in use” (please see Stones Solicitors LLP article “Thinking of Buying a Student Property in Exeter” - July 2010).
From 1 October 2010, this requirement will be removed for all HMOs in England and a change in use for HMOs for up to six people will be permitted development, unless the Local Authority has issued a direction removing permitted development rights in a specific area (an Article 4 Direction).
It is clear that in certain areas of Exeter, the Local Authority will issue an Article 4 Direction removing permitted development rights to control the number of HMO’s in areas where they are already particularly concentrated. This will mean that in those areas, Planning Permission will still be required to change the use of a property to an HMO.
For further information and guidance on HMOs, please contact planning expert Nadine Seymour, or Paul Keeling who has expertise in the local letting and management of properties.