Landlords – If you’re a registered MSH landlord, an electronic copy of your May newsletter should reach you by post shortly.
In addition to the information in the newsletter, we would like to alert you to the following:
In response to consultation on possible planning responses to HMOs, the Government has decided to provide a specific definition of ‘HMO’ by amending the Use Classes Order.
In Manchester, there are high concentrations of shared housing in some areas, which some feel can have negative implications.
From 6th April 2010, you need to obtain planning permission to change the use of a property from a ‘dwelling house’ (‘C3’ class) to a ‘HMO’ (‘C4’ class), i.e. planning permission is needed to let a property to a group of 3 or more unrelated people where it has previously been lived in by a family.
You will not need planning permission to change a house lived in by 3 or more unrelated people back to a house for a family. The change is not retrospective, i.e. if you let your property to 3 or more unrelated people at the time of the change, you will not need planning permission to continue to do so.
Manchester City Council’s interim approach (detailed policy to be prepared) is ‘The City Council will not permit conversion of a C3 dwelling house to a C4 House in Multiple Occupation where this would have a negative impact on the sustainability of neighbourhoods and residential amenity in the surrounding area’.
This is a legislative change and you may like to approach your relevant local authority for more specific information, however Manchester Student Homes will also try to answer any queries to the best of our ability.
