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In this issue:
On 6 September 2022, the Council voted to consult on an Article 4 designation to remove the permitted development right to change the use of a C3 property (“dwellinghouse”) to a C4 property (“house in multiple occupation”) within certain wards of the city. The wards are: Cheylesmore, Earlsdon, Foleshill, Lower Stoke, Radford, St. Michaels, Sherbourne, Wainbody, Whoberley, Westwood and Upper Stoke.
If the proposed designation is approved, it should come into effect on 13 September 2023. Any person wishing to convert a residential house into an HMO within the affected wards will first need to make a change of use planning application, even if the HMO will have fewer than seven tenants. Properties that are already in lawful use as HMOs with fewer than seven tenants will not need to make a planning application, though landlords may wish to consider applying for a Lawful Development Certificate.
If the Article 4 designation is implemented, this will have no bearing on existing HMO licences, or on future HMO licences for properties that were HMOs prior to the designation. However, if we determine that a property is operating as an HMO without the benefit of the correct planning permission, we will only issue a one-year licence for that property, and will include a condition requiring that the correct permission is sought. Please note that this is not a guarantee that planning permission will be granted.
In additional, where a property is found to be operating without the correct planning permission, the Planning Enforcement team may take legal action against the owner.
You can read more about the proposed designation, and respond to the consultation, on the Public Consultations webpage. The cnsultation went live on Tuesday 20 September 2022 and will run until 15 November 2022.
The Property Licensing Team is not able to provide any further information or answer any queries about the proposed Article 4 designation. Please direct any queries to the Planning Policy team.
We want to work with you to improve housing in the city. If you want to get in touch with any questions please, contact the team:
Email: hmo@coventry.gov.uk
Telephone: 024 7697 5467
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