Regulating the spread of HMOs in Salford has reduced instances of anti-social behaviour and crime, strain on public services, and pressures on parking provision, according to Cllr Mike McCusker (pictured), Lead Member for Planning, Transport and Sustainable Development at Salford City Council.

He acknowledges that HMOs are important to the city’s housing mix but warns their impacts must be managed for the sake of communities.

He says: “Using Article 4 Direction legislation means that we can prevent over-concentrations of HMOs in neighbourhoods and make sure we’re meeting needs in the right places, helping to preserve the character of our neighbourhoods for local people.”

This policy change has been effective in persuading some applicants to reconsider their proposals.”

“This policy change has been effective in persuading some applicants to reconsider their proposals and, in some cases, withdraw them. And it means we can influence HMO activity rather than have it happen to us.”

The council has been extending and beefing up its planning rules for HMOs since 2018, but says it does not want an outright ban, with around a third of applications turned down in the areas covered by the Article 4 Directions over the last twelve months.

Others following suit

Salford council claims the success of its strategy has led to neighbouring councils looking at adopting similar measures. Bolton will use a similar approach to tackle its “disproportionately high number of HMOs”, and Preston City Council is expected to remove permitted development rights for HMOs in all its inner urban areas.

In Hyndburn, an Article 4 Direction will soon be implemented to address what it calls a “spiral of decline.”

And, next month, Sefton Council is hoping to secure approval for an Article 4, which will cover the entire borough.