Article 4 Direction could be introduced “immediately”

Local Democracy Reporter Ollie Leader explains what this could mean for HMOs in Medway.

Transcript

00:00They've become synonymous with putting pressure on parking and antisocial behaviour but this week

00:06Medway Council could begin cracking down on houses of multiple occupancy or HMOs. At the

00:14moment landlords only need planning permission for a HMO designed for six or more people but

00:22under a proposed article 4 directive landlords will need to apply for any size of HMO

00:29in seven wards across Medway with hopes of improving living standards. We do have existing

00:37problems which we need to keep addressing through engagement with landlords in particular it's so

00:41important that we sit down and talk to them about quality and delivery of what they're trying to do

00:46but it will help there is no doubt that this is going to help a lot in terms of people's quality

00:51of life and the communities in which it takes place so we are taking steps in the right direction it's

00:56not a perfect solution but it's on that on that journey to improving things for our community.

01:01The proposal will be discussed at Cabinet on Tuesday and would apply to Chatham Central and Brompton,

01:09Fort Pitt, Gilliam North and South, Luton, Strood North and Frinsbury and Watling. But some

01:17councillors want the directive to be implemented wider despite the fact the planning rule has

01:23to be selective by its nature. If the council do not bring an article 4 determination for the whole

01:30area there is a danger that those areas not covered by the article 4 will become fertile ground for

01:36those that want to create HMOs. If the proposal is approved a 21 day notice period will begin only after

01:46that will the new regulations come into effect. Oli Leda in Medway.