Liverpool councillors are set to bring in new planning controls across the city to manage the growth and concentration of HMOs.

The council is being asked to approve an immediate Article 4 Direction in five areas where it has identified growing concentrations of HMOs: Kirkdale, Everton, County, Walton, Orrell Park and part of Fazakerley; part of Tuebrook Larkhill; Old Swan and part of Stoneycroft; Penny Lane and part of Calderstones and St Michaels and Sefton Park.

A council assessment reports that HMOs represent between 3% and 4.6% of the city’s housing stock. Although most remain within an existing Article 4 area, the number of small HMOs grew by 15% inside the boundary over a three-year period, compared with 57% elsewhere in the city.

A city-wide residents’ survey conducted during August and early September received 1,070 responses. The council reports that more than four in five respondents (80%) supported extending Article 4 controls, with protecting family housing, residential amenity and neighbourhood character among the most cited reasons.

Consultation

Subject to cabinet approval next week, the council would publish the proposals and begin a statutory consultation, which landlords can respond to before it decides whether to confirm the Directions.

Councillor Nick Small, cabinet member for growth and economy (pictured), says: “HMOs play an important role in meeting Liverpool’s housing needs, but we must be able to manage where new properties are created and prevent excessive concentrations from placing unfair pressure on individual neighbourhoods.

Oversight

“These proposals would give us greater oversight of new HMOs, helping to protect family housing and ensure our communities remain balanced and sustainable.”

Liverpool is currently consulting on three potential selective licensing schemes: a citywide scheme (64 wards) to tackle issues linked to low housing demand and provide consistent standards, a deprivation-based scheme (29 wards) focusing on areas experiencing some of the highest levels of deprivation, and a poor property conditions scheme (26 wards) targeting areas with higher concentrations of private rented housing and evidence of poorer housing conditions and disrepair.

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