Solihull councillors have reiterated their dedication to tackling the increasing number of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the borough, amidst a heated debate on immigration and housing.
Before the recent local elections, the Conservative-led council agreed to pursue stronger powers to better regulate HMOs, responding to concerns about their steady growth. Currently, landlords can convert a family home into an HMO for up to six occupants without requiring planning permission.
In April, councillors across parties supported seeking to lower the licensing threshold from six to three occupants by removing permitted development rights via an Article 4 directive – a strategy other councils have adopted nationally to limit HMO expansion.
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At the latest full council meeting, Councillor Andy Mackiewicz, cabinet portfolio holder for climate change and planning, provided an update: “We have commissioned supporting evidence. With our ongoing efforts to publish a new local plan this autumn, which will establish planning policies on HMOs, we aim to consult on the Article 4 directive by year-end. We will also continue exploring additional licensing powers alongside planning reforms.”
During the meeting, Reform UK Councillor Michael James proposed a motion calling for biannual reports on HMO planning policy effectiveness and urging council leader Karen Grinsell to lobby the government for stronger local authority powers to control HMO concentrations and locations. Coun James also advocated for reducing the use of HMOs as accommodation for Home Office immigration cases and speeding up immigration decisions in Solihull.
While Councillor Mackiewicz expressed general agreement and noted progress on these issues since the April motion, the debate saw varying viewpoints. Green group leader Councillor Max McLoughlin emphasized that asylum seekers residing in HMOs represent a negligible proportion, arguing that immigration references were unhelpful. Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Ade Adeyemo echoed that immigration should not overshadow the critical challenge of managing and licensing HMOs.
Reform UK group leader Councillor Samantha Gethen highlighted community concerns over the loss of family homes and the encroachment of HMOs into established neighborhoods. In contrast, Conservative Councillor Heather Delaney defended supported accommodation as a form of HMO housing individuals with disabilities, stressing their right to live alongside family homes. This prompted a rebuttal from Councillor Gethen clarifying her position.
After an extensive discussion, the Conservatives' amended motion was approved by the ruling group’s votes. The meeting took place on July 7 at Solihull’s Civic Suite, signaling the council’s ongoing commitment to refining HMO policies while navigating complex community and political dynamics.