2. Houses in Multiple Occupation planning policy consultation (closed)
For the most recent information on the 2023-24 Article 4 update, and 2023 adopted Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document (HMO SPD), please see Supplementary Planning Documents and Planning Statements - HMO SPD and Article 4 Direction.
Consultation background
A House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) is a shared house occupied by three or more unrelated people as their main or only residence, sharing basic facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom. HMOs are an important type of housing in Exeter, including for students and young professionals.
In some parts of Exeter, the Council has a restriction in place that affects the ability to convert regular houses to HMOs. This is because concentrations of student HMOs can lead to issues associated with ‘imbalanced communities’ and a lack of permanent residents. The restriction is organised through a planning tool called an Article 4 Direction and means that planning permission is needed to convert a regular house to an HMO.
Consultation details (consultation closed)
We consulted on proposals to change our planning policy on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) from 22 May 2023 to 3 July 2023. The consultation was on options to change the area covered by the Article 4 Direction where restrictions on HMOs apply. We also consulted on some proposed changes to the HMO SPD and the evidence behind our proposals.
Related documents
2022 Review of Houses in Multiple Occupation: Data Update and Options Report