Shabana Mahmood MP has welcomed a new city-wide Article 4 direction to regulate new Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

Planning permission will now be required properties into small HMOs which accommodate between 3 and 6 unrelated people. HMOs larger than this size already require planning permission.

Declared HMOs will only be accepted by the council where there is clear evidence that a property is currently in HMO use or is currently undergoing conversion.

Birmingham Ladywood MP, Shabana Mahmood, said:

“I’m pleased that today a new city-wide Article 4 direction comes into force in relation to HMOs.

“While many landlords act responsibly, I’ve long since made the case that there are too many bad landlords who exploit the current rules around HMOs which can lead to antisocial behaviour issues and community disputes.

“Birmingham City Council has encouraged landlords to declare existing small HMOs and ones which are currently undergoing conversion so that they can be mapped. This is a really positive step forward and should help to alleviate some of the issues numerous constituents have contacted me about.

“I’ve previously written about the pressing need to have a full landlord licensing regime and this change is an important step forward in this campaign. A full licensing regime will protect landlords who play by the rules and prevent those who currently behave badly from doing so.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Shabana’s article on landlord licensing: https://www.shabanamahmood.org/2019/07/16/the-time-has-come-for-landlord-licensing-heres-why/