HMO Planning – Use Class C4

Once again in their attempt to simplify the planning system the Government has created more legislation to make it even more difficult for people to understand the Planning system!
Not only that but the target is also, again, the landlords.
The latest Gem is the alteration to the Use Classes Order to include C4: Houses in Multiple Occupation.
As you now know I am both a landlord and a town planning expert. In both capacities I have been watching the Governments proposals to alter the planning system to differentiate between a family home (dwelling house, Use Class C3) occupied by a single ‘family’ and a house of multiple occupation (now C4).
I have read the latest Department for Communities and Local Government Circular (dated 31 March 2010) and entitled Changes to Planning Regulations for Dwelling Houses in Multiple Occupation which supposedly explains what the alterations to the Use Classes Order means. This Circular is supposed to make it all clear! Clear as mud that is.
Soon the planning community are going to be as unpopular as traffic wardens.
Now a dwelling house, C3, is only such when it is used by a single or person or single household, and not more than 6 residents living together as a single household (with or without care). A single household is as defined in the Housing Act 2004(a).
Class C4, Houses in Multiple Occupation is the use of a dwelling house by not more than six residents as a HMO.
More than 6 people sharing a house is once again Sui Generis.
You will need planning permission to change the use of a property from a dwelling house to a HMO. Permitted Development Rights allow you to alter the use back from a HMO to a dwelling house.
More to come on this ……