Wigan Council Moves to Tighten Rules on Houses in Multiple Occupation Across Borough
Wigan Council acts. The council notes a rise in homes turned into HMOs and responds. Rule tightening unfolds now across the borough. Conversions, once confined to select zones, face new planning rules here.
National law permits a tenant house change up to six unrelated persons without extra approval. The council, however, uses its Article 4 Direction power. This rule, applied first in Leigh and Swinley, now spreads town-wide. The conversion demand, seen in these cases, merges planning rules with local oversight.
Local voices express worry. Residents sense community bonds strain and property quality slip. The council points to this change as a means to govern HMO spread. Safety checks and legal codes anchor this regulation. The measure neither blocks HMOs outright nor frees them from oversight.
A 21-day public hearing comes next. The council invites feedback as the rule readies for full enforcement. Affected property owners, facing conversion within 12 months, may claim compensation. This step, the council explains, balances housing shifts with community rights.
Property investors find rules shift fast. Investment plans, especially those with HMOs, now require planning approval. Proposals must prove safety and community-matching design. Project durations stretch, costs multiply, and approvals grow steep.
Wigan’s town-wide Article 4 Direction signals more rigorous review. Council control over HMO numbers now tightens as clustering poses issues. Investors must adjust tactics to meet new planning demands and abide by local standards.
