HMO reports in the spotlight

OVER the past three years, Charnwood Borough Council has received more than 60 reports of residents changing the use of their home to a house of multiple occupation (HMO) without permission.

But less than 10 were found to have actually breached planning control.

Charnwood Borough Council has revealed that: 28 reports of properties allegedly operating as HMOs were received in 2015, 33 in 2016 and three have been received as of July this year.

But, of the reports, only six were found to have breached planning control in 2015 and three in 2016.

And one certificate of lawful use was granted to a property in 2016 as a consequence of an enforcement investigation.

Fifteen cases (five from 2015, seven from 2016 and three from 2017) are currently classed as “on-going action”.

A spokesperson for the council said: “We will always resolve all breaches of planning control regardless of how long they take, it’s just a case that some issues can take longer than others.

“In relation to houses in multiple occupation if we find a breach of planning control there are a number of options the developer can take to resolve the breach.

“They can cease the use or apply for retrospective planning permission or submit an application for a certificate of lawful use.

“Developers can also appeal if we issue an enforcement notice or any application is refused and this will be heard by the Planning Inspectorate.

“Because the law provides a range of options that may be legitimately followed by a person when there is a breach of control it can often take months or years to reach a final decision.”