Consultation on tougher rules for homes of multi-occupation

Preston residents and landlords are being invited to have their say on plans to tighten up local rules surrounding the conversion of properties into houses of multiple occupation (HMOs).

- by Paul Faulkner

Most HMOs in urban Preston would need planning permission under the new rules

Preston City Council is carrying out a public consultation into a proposal that would mean planning permission was required for such changes in urban areas - regardless of the size of the houses in question.

It comes as the number of HMOs in Preston nears 1,000, according to the local authority.