A report is set to investigate further how applications and decision making for houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) are considered across Rushcliffe.
A motion at a Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) Full Council meeting on September 18 debated a perception the authority is experiencing an increase in applications, particularly small HMOs falling within what is known as Class C4 use.
Councillors agreed for officers to investigate and collate an evidence base to look at whether there is a case for introducing an Article 4 Direction across the Borough.
This could enable the Council to assess proposals for HMOs on a case-by-case basis through the planning process and allow local residents and Councillors to be consulted and consider the impacts of any proposals.
It could then see a formal report brought to RBC’s Cabinet by the end of February 2026 to consider the evidence.
Under the current planning framework, permission is automatically granted without a planning application having to be made. A change to an Article 4 could see the authority have the ability to make direction, after preparing the evidence base.
This includes mapping current HMOs, identifying any recent increase in the creation rate of new HMOs, and assessing local impacts, including amenity, parking, waste and housing balance.
In the motion brought by RBC’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety Cllr Rob Inglis and seconded by Cllr Carys Thomas, Cllr Inglis said: “Only four HMO applications have been received in 2025 with one approved, one refused, and two pending consideration but we are aware of a wider perception of any concern in the community on these applications.
“HMOs falling within the C4 usage include households between three and six unrelated people, sharing basic amenities. They can play an important role in housing provision across the Borough but can lead to issues associated with parking pressure, noise, and have a detrimental impact on community cohesion and the local amenity.
“This future report could enable the Council to assess proposals for HMOs on a case-by-case basis through the planning process and allow a better picture of their appropriateness in locations, in line with consulting local residents and Councillors.”