Stoke-on-Trent City Council is proposing a package of measures to limit the number of Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the city and ensure those that exist meet high standards.

The proposals include a city-wide Article 4 Direction, which would remove development rights that currently allow family homes to be converted into HMOs without planning permission. Any future conversion would require a planning application to be assessed against a new policy in the council's emerging Local Plan.

Concentration limits

New HMOs would not be allowed where they would mean HMOs make up more than 5% of all residential properties within a 50-metre radius. This is designed to prevent clusters of shared housing appearing across the city.

The council is also proposing a cap on the total number of HMOs within each ward. This would be set at 4% of residential properties for wards where there are already very high numbers of HMOs, 2.5% for wards with high numbers, and 1.5% for all other wards.

The new rules would also prevent two HMOs from being side-by-side with a single frontage, and prevent other homes from being "sandwiched" between two HMOs.

Licensing standards

The council is proposing an Additional Licensing Scheme for HMOs across the city. This would bring smaller HMOs into a formal regulatory framework, allowing the council to set and enforce standards. Existing licence conditions would be strengthened.

Current situation

A council-commissioned review found that in all but one of Stoke-on-Trent's wards, at least 1% of homes are HMOs, with significantly higher percentages in some urban areas. A council report states: "While the impacts on individual wards will vary due to different amounts and concentrations, the quality of accommodation, managing environmental and social impacts and the need to retain a balanced housing stock across the city remain key challenges."

Councillor Duncan Walker, cabinet member for safe and resilient communities and housing, said HMOs "can be an important step on the ladder for people looking for a home" but need to be properly managed.

The proposals will be considered by the council's ruling cabinet next week, subject to statutory consultation.