Houses of multiple occupation and extended mandatory licensing
Article 4
Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) can provide an affordable type of housing for tenants looking for accommodation in an area as well as contributing to the overall mix of housing types and tenures available. High concentrations of HMOs can cause an imbalance in communities which can sometimes have a detrimental impact on neighbourhoods.For this reason, we have introduced several Article 4 Directions relating to further proposed HMOs in areas of Chester. These Article 4 Directions have the effect of requiring a planning application to be submitted when a family home (Use Class C3) is being converted into a HMO occupied by three to six unrelated people (Use Class C4). This planning control is called an Article 4 Direction.The introduction of the Article 4 Directions allows us to assess, on a case by case basis whether applications for the creation of new HMOs are acceptable or not in planning terms and will help to control the number of new HMOs created.
A Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) has also been prepared to provide guidance on how the authority will assess and deal with planning applications associated with HMOs and purpose built student accommodation.
