Could Article 4 be coming to Coventry to limit the number of HMOs in the area? Coventry is a hotspot for HMO investors. Logistically it is attractive because of it’s central location, accessible for investors both living North and South England with good motorway links. From a demand perspective, it’s attractive for both professional and student tenants. So why limit the number of HMOs here? Here’s the timeline of what we know so far.
February 2022
In February 2022 the Councillors announced that they needed to take action to clamp down on the “shoddy” HMOs in the city for the benefit of neighbourhood communities.
Article 4 restrictions would mean that any investor wishing to convert a residential house into an HMO of 3 to 6 bedrooms would need planning permission. Unless Article 4 restrictions are in place, investors are free to make these changes to houses under permitted development rights, effectively going from C3 dwelling house to C4 HMO without the need for planning permission.
August 2022
However on 16th August 2022 Coventry Council made an announcement that Article 4 would be introduced. They announced that a report would be put before the Cabinet on 30th August 2022 outlining the Council’s intentions of having a public consultation on the matter.
The proposal would see restrictions placed on 11 out of 18 wards in Coventry.
Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Councillor David Welsh, said:
“We want to manage the development of HMOs across Coventry and especially in areas of the city where we need to have the ability to control their numbers.
“Housing developments must meet housing need in the city. We need good quality affordable homes for families, we believe this will help improve neighbourhoods.”
September 2022
On the 6th September 2022 the Council voted in favour of consulting on Article 4. This is specific to the following wards of Coventry:
Cheylesmore, Earlsdon, Foleshill, Lower Stoke, Radford, St. Michaels, Sherbourne, Wainbody, Whoberley, Westwood and Upper Stoke.
If the proposal is successful, following the consultation, Article 4 would be introduced on 13th September 2023. If, after that date, you have a 3 to 6 bed HMO that was already in operation prior to the introduction of Article 4 in these areas, the Council advise applying for Certificate of Lawfulness.
How long is the Article 4 Consultation being run?
The consultation on Article 4 restrictions to HMOs in Coventry runs from Tuesday 20th September to 15th November 2022.
How can we comment on the Article 4 Consultation on HMOs in Coventry?
Anyone wishing to have their say, be it investors, tenants and local residents, can do so in two ways
Firstly, the council recommends providing feedback using this link
Secondly, the Council are offering face to face visits at venues across Coventry over the next few months as follows where you will be able to talk with Planning Officers:
Hillfields Library 27 September 2022, 10am – 12 noon
Stoke Library 27 September 2022, 1pm – 3pm
Earlsdon Carnegie Community Library 1 October 2022, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Allesley Park Library 1 October 2022, 2pm – 4pm
Aldermoor Library 4 October 2022, 11am – 1pm
Finham Library 4 October 2022, 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Canley Library 7 October 2022, 10am – 12noon
Central Library 8 October 2022, 1pm – 3pm
Cheylesmore Library 11 October 2022, 9:45am – 11:45am
Jubilee Crescent Library 11 October 2022, 2pm – 4pm
Coundon Library 14 October 2022, 11am – 1pm
If you are looking to buy or sell HMOs in Coventry then check out or Coventry HMO page with everything you need to know about the market in the area.