THE borough council is considering new measures to better manage the growth and impact of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) with 211 licensed properties in Warrington.
Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) are an increasingly popular form of rental property for landlords, offering high rental yields, a diversified income stream, and a financially efficient use of space. They tend to appeal to tenants looking for affordable, flexible accommodation, especially younger people or those seeking short-term lets.
Formal complaints about HMOs in Warrington often relate to issues such as upkeep, waste, parking, and anti-social behaviour, although the licensing process itself focuses on safety and property standards rather than restricting the number of HMOs.
In response to these concerns, national planning regulations allow councils to introduce local policies to better manage the spread of HMOs.
In Warrington, there are currently 211 licensed HMOs, with clusters in areas such as Fairfield and Howley, Bewsey and Whitecross, Orford, and Birchwood. This figure does not include unlicensed HMOs, which are harder to track but remain a key focus for enforcement.
The council is therefore looking to agree a policy that seeks to control the growth of HMOs in the town, while continuing to support the provision of good-quality, affordable accommodation.
The options available will be reviewed by the Housing Policy Committee in the near future, ensuring that any measures introduced are proportionate, evidence-based, and help to maintain sustainable, balanced communities.
Leader of the council, Cllr Hans Mundry, said: “HMOs have an important part to play in ensuring affordable housing for local residents. However, high concentrations of HMOs can sometimes run the risk of negatively impact communities, leading to anti-social behaviour, noise, parking issues, and changes to the character of neighbourhoods.
“There is a balance that needs to be struck, and I think that developing a policy that introduces sensible parameters around HMOs is something the council should be pursuing.”
