“Houses in multiple occupation: consultation on changes to planning rules”

24th September 2010

The current situation at 25 Sept. is that Milton Keynes Council is seeking a Judicial Review of the consultation process in order to reveres the planned changes.

The air of fait accompli around the July HMO consultation appears to have proved correct, with the Government’s proposed change of removing the need for planning permission to move from residential dwelling house (C3) to HMO use (C4) coming into being on 1^st October, despite almost universal criticism.

The CCA oppose the proposed changes in the HMO consultation because it removes powers from LAs to control the volume and location of HMOs. Coastal HMOs help to maintain the disproportionally high demands and costs on the public sector, particularly in health, social services, education and housing. They also maintain the transience and instability of resorts and undermine efforts to regenerate deprived areas.

The proposed changes in the consultation will dilute LAs planning powers and increase the negative public and private consequences of cheap, private rented seaside accommodation. See the CCA response at:

Return to latest news