Plans to tighten shared home rules put to public

People can have their say on how Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in their area affect them

Proposals to tighten planning rules for converting shared properties in Derby have been put to public consultation.

Derby City Council said it wanted to apply for more powers to regulate Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO).

This follows an investigation which found residents were concerned too many HMOs in one area creates problems like parking, anti-social behaviour, and fly-tipping, the authority said.

Councillor Shiraz Khan said shared housing could be valuable for many, but only if it was well-maintained.

'Well-maintained housing'

Earlier this year, cabinet approved a proposal to apply to Government for more powers to regulate HMOs.

A nine-week public consultation - which has started on 2 April and runs until 31 May - will now give people a chance to have their say on how HMOs in their area affect them.

The council says planning permission is currently needed for anyone who wants to convert a house into accommodation for six or more people.

However, permission is not necessary for a house with fewer residents.

To change this, the authority said it needs to apply to the government for an Article 4 direction under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

The Secretary of State needs to be satisfied there is robust evidence smaller HMOs are causing harm, in planning terms, to the local area before granting it.

The council said it would give them the ability to control the number of HMOs in those areas, and impose conditions to limit noise, provide adequate parking or bin storage.

The proposals would apply to the Arboretum ward as well as parts of Abbey, Alvaston North, Darley, Mackworth and New Zealand, Normanton, Sinfin and Osmaston within the ring road.

Mr Khan said: "Our goal is to foster thriving communities where HMO tenants have access to safe and well-maintained housing."