Tighter rules to be introduced for HMOs by council

Rules to make it harder for homes to become houses of multiple occupation (HMO) could be introduced by a council in an area where anti-asylum protests have taken place.

In August, large groups gathered outside properties in Thetford where they believed asylum seekers were being housed.

On Monday, leaders of Conservative-run Breckland District Council are set to consider tightening rules on new HMOs, which would see all conversions having to go through the planning process.

Currently, a family home can be converted into an HMO for up to six people without a planning application.

A report for the council's cabinet refers to community concerns when HMOs have been "occupied at pace." It points out that such properties are not just used by migrants.

The report warns the council "has limited control" over the properties and recommends introducing what is known as an "Article 4 direction", requiring planning permission to be sought for all HMOs, which gives the council the power to refuse them.

In March, senior councillors had commissioned a study into whether HMOs were causing "wholly unacceptable adverse impacts" but the report said more immediate action was needed as circumstances had "materially changed".

It advises the change will cost up to £25,000 to implement and will need to be "legally robust".

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Earlier this month the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that government officials said 56 beds were available in HMOs for migrants locally, but they wanted about 240.

The Home Office, which is reducing hotel use for housing asylum seekers, said the "concerns of communities are central to our immigration reforms".

"We are working to fairly house asylum seekers across the country, engaging with local authorities to reduce the impact on communities," a spokeswoman added.

Reform UK councillor Scott Hussey said the council should have taken action sooner and questioned how effective its plan would be, claiming it was "poorly planned, rushed, and in the end will have limited impact."

"No evidence has been published, there are no details of any boundaries, and there's an acknowledged risk of legal action against the council," he added.

The council has been asked for comment.

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