Council bids to crack down on HMO plans

PLANNING CHANGES FOR HOUSES OF MULTIPLE OCCUPANCY

- By GEORGE LYTHGOE

A CRACKDOWN on houses of multiple occupations (HMOs) has been brought into force in Tameside, with one councillor describing it as a 'war on slum landlords.

Town hall bosses have approved an immediate Article 4 Direction, which effectively means all HMOs would require planning permission to operate. Currently, only HMOs housing seven or more people need planning permission.

The council says this is being done to step up efforts to ensure shared housing is safe, well-managed, and works for everyone.