Landlords converting family homes into Houses in Multiple Occupation will now need planning permission under new rules coming into force across Warrington.
New planning controls designed to give Warrington Borough Council greater oversight of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) come into force today – Friday, September 25.
The changes mean that landlords wanting to convert a family home into a small HMO can no longer rely on permitted development rights in areas covered by the new Article 4 Directions.
Instead, they will have to apply for planning permission, giving the council the opportunity to consider the potential impact of each proposed conversion on surrounding neighbourhoods.
The council says the measures are intended to help prevent an over-concentration of HMOs in particular areas and support what it describes as balanced and sustainable communities.
The first Article 4 Direction covers six central Warrington wards:
- Orford
- Poplars and Hulme
- Fairfield and Howley
- Latchford East
- Latchford West
- Bewsey and Whitecross
That Direction was announced in 2025 and was subject to a 12-month notice period.
A second Direction covering the rest of the borough also comes into force today, but has been introduced with immediate effect.
This means it is already operational, although the council is still inviting residents, landlords, businesses and other interested parties to comment before deciding whether to confirm it permanently.
The new controls follow the adoption of a new HMO Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) by the council in March.
The document sets out standards and guidance for HMOs and is aimed at homeowners, landlords, operators, architects and planning agents.
It also provides a framework for considering issues such as the number of HMOs in an area and potential “clustering” of shared properties.
Cllr John Kerr-Brown, the council’s cabinet member for environment, housing and public protection, said the new system would give the authority greater control over future HMO conversions.
“Without proper management, too many shared houses on one street can result in parking pressure, noise, and can have an adverse impact on communities.
“Until now, landlords in most parts of Warrington could convert properties into HMOs without council permission. That’s changing, and new HMO conversions will need council approval first.”
He added: “These new controls give us greater powers to manage HMO development across Warrington and help ensure that all communities receive the same level of protection.”
Cllr Kerr-Brown said requiring planning permission would allow the council to consider the impact of proposed conversions before decisions were made.
“We know that residents have raised concerns about HMOs with us previously. We’ve listened, and this change puts power back in the hands of our communities.”
The council is now inviting representations on the borough-wide Article 4 Direction covering areas outside the six central wards.
Residents and other interested parties have until October 19, 2026 to submit comments.
Comments can be emailed to localplan@warrington.gov.uk, using “HMO consultation” as the subject line.
Written representations can also be sent to:
Planning Policy and Programmes (HMO Consultation)
Warrington Borough Council
East Annexe, Town Hall
Sankey Street
Warrington
WA1 1UH
All representations received before the deadline will be considered before the council decides whether to confirm the borough-wide Direction permanently.
A further notice will be published before March 25, 2027, confirming the outcome.
