Landlords in Warrington hoping to convert family homes into HMOs will face tougher planning restrictions from September when a new Article 4 direction takes effect.

The council had previously proposed the plan for the central six wards of Orford, Poplars and Hulme, Fairfield and Howley, Latchford East, Latchford West and Bewsey and Whitecross – which all have the highest prevalence of HMOs. However, it decided to expand these controls across the rest of the borough to ensure that HMOs aren’t simply displaced.

Automatic conversion rights will be removed, meaning that landlords will now be required to secure full planning permission before turning a family home into an HMO.

Alongside these powers, the council has approved the adoption of a new HMO Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) - shaped by feedback from a public consultation – which sets out clear standards for HMOs, including minimum requirements for living space and facilities.

Guidance

It provides detailed guidance for homeowners, operators, architects, and planning agents, while offering local residents a clear framework to understand how the planning system manages issues such as ‘clustering’ and property numbers.

Cabinet member responsible for planning policy and development, councillor John Kerr-Brown, (pictured above) says the changes reflect its firm commitment to managing HMO growth in a responsible way that protects neighbourhoods' character.

“These stronger, borough-wide controls will ensure that all residents receive the same level of protection,” Kerr-Brown explains. “Along with our new SPD, it will give us the tools we need to thoroughly assess each application, prevent unfair clustering, and ensure that any new developments meet high standards of quality and space. This balanced approach will help us build stronger, more sustainable communities across the whole of Warrington.”

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