A Greater Manchester borough is cracking down on HMOs, but there’s a catch
Oldham council is implementing an 'Article 4 direction' to gain more control over the establishment of HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) in response to resident complaints about the negative impact on communities. The directive, if approved by the government, will require all HMOs to undergo planning approval, addressing issues like clustering and strain on local services. While residents demand a blanket ban on HMOs, the council clarifies that the goal is to ensure quality accommodation rather than eliminate HMOs entirely. The motion passed unanimously and is set to take effect by January 1, 2026, unless blocked by the government.
Oldham Council has voted to impose an Article 4 direction across the entire borough, stripping landlords of their automatic right to convert family homes into houses in multiple occupation (HMO) without planning permission.
The unanimous vote, taken at last night’s full council meeting, means that from 1 January 2026 every new HMO - regardless of size - will need town-hall approval before it can open. Currently, only shared houses occupied by seven or more people require planning consent, allowing smaller conversions to proceed without scrutiny.
Councillor Neil Hindle told the chamber: “I have spoken to countless residents and the message has been consistent and heartfelt - our neighbourhoods are changing and not always for the better. Failsworth is a proud and close-knit community but when family homes are converted into HMOs without consultation, it disrupts the balance of our streets. It puts pressure on parking, waste collection and local services, and most importantly it can undermine the sense of community.”
The move stops short of the outright ban some residents demanded, but deputy leader Elaine Taylor said the direction will let planners control clustering, protect town-centre balance and limit occupancy numbers. “We might not be able to stop someone turning a pub into a HMO, but we might stop them putting 12 people in, and instead they put six in, and make sure there’s amenities for each of them,” she explained. The government now has until the end of the year to decide whether to call the measure in.
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