MP Gareth Snell Welcomes Major Step Forward on HMO Controls in Stoke-on-Trent

MP Gareth Snell has welcomed Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s proposals to introduce tough new controls on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), describing the move as a significant victory for residents who have spent years calling for action.

The package of measures, due to be considered by the city council’s cabinet next week, includes a city-wide Article 4 Direction that would end the automatic right to convert family homes into HMOs without planning permission. Future conversions would be subject to scrutiny through the planning process, allowing communities and the council to have a greater say over where HMOs are located.

Under the proposals, new HMOs would not be permitted in areas where they would take the concentration of such properties above 5 per cent within a 50-metre radius. Ward-level caps would also be introduced to prevent excessive clustering, creating a more balanced housing market across the city.

Gareth said: “This is a huge victory for residents across Stoke-on-Trent.

“For years, communities have faced the loss of family housing, parking pressures, anti-social behaviour, waste management issues and the erosion of balanced, sustainable neighbourhoods. Those concerns have finally been recognised.”

Gareth has particularly welcomed measures designed to stop HMOs being concentrated on the same street, including rules preventing two HMOs from being located side-by-side and preventing family homes from being “sandwiched” between HMO properties.

The City Council also has plans for an Additional Licensing Scheme covering smaller HMOs across Stoke-on-Trent. The scheme would bring thousands of properties under greater scrutiny and strengthen standards for accommodation.

The measures place Stoke-on-Trent among a growing number of local authorities taking decisive action to address the challenges associated with high levels of HMOs.

Gareth added “Everyone recognises that HMOs have an important role to play, but it must not come at the expense of our communities. An Article 4 Direction will help to prevent the overconcentration we have seen in some parts of the city.

“This has been a long campaign, and there is still work to do, but today’s announcement represents a major step forward.”