Blackburn with Darwen council wants to impose a ban on properties being changed into HMOs without applying for planning permission – it is seeking government approval for a so-called Article 4 direction.

Councillor Quesir Mahmood, the authority’s head of growth and development, says: “In the last 12 years, we’ve seen a massive increase in HMOs in our borough from 129 to almost 400. Currently, we estimate that there are around 1,000 bed spaces in HMOs in Blackburn with Darwen which is far more than our neighbouring boroughs and disproportionate to our local needs.

“Due to the number of beds, it often means that people – many being incredibly vulnerable – are brought from outside of the borough to one of these HMOs and it’s putting a huge strain on services for our residents.

Existing Article 4 Directions have been applied in selection parts of Blackburn but now the council wants it across its entire boundary.

Mahmood adds: “Currently, outside of those areas with an existing Article 4 Direction in place, property owners can change what tend to be large family homes into HMOs without consent as planning permission isn’t needed.

“This new rule would stop that by requiring a planning application so the Council can make a considered decision on a proposed HMO. It would mean we could take a much tougher stance on HMOs, which we know can be a magnet for anti-social behaviour and often are in need of improved standards.

“For many owners, the HMOs are incredibly lucrative, but the sheer number of them is having a negative impact on our borough and we want to take action to stop that.

“The Article 4 Direction is one way we can look to crackdown, but we also need government to act or give us new powers to address standards, licensing and the regulation of this sector.”

The council has already received almost £1m of public cash for additional enforcement.

The council’s public consultation on the proposed Article 4 closes on Friday September 23.

Tags: Government Advice, Housing Shortage & Affordability

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