Landlords and letting agents in Telford and Wrekin are being invited to give their views on proposals that could significantly tighten regulation of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) as the council launches two formal consultations on licensing and planning controls.
Telford & Wrekin Council has approved plans to consult on the introduction of an additional licensing scheme for HMOs alongside a new Article 4 direction that would remove permitted development rights for smaller shared properties.
The proposals are being consulted on separately, with one survey covering additional licensing and a second focusing on the proposed Article 4 direction.
The additional licensing consultation runs from 16 December to 11 March 2026, while the Article 4 consultation will close on 10 February 2026, in line with statutory requirements.
MORE REGULATION
At present, only HMOs housing five or more people from two or more households are subject to mandatory licensing in the borough.
Planning rules also differ depending on size, with HMOs accommodating more than six people requiring full planning permission, while smaller HMOs can currently be created using permitted development rights.
If introduced, the Article 4 direction would remove those rights, meaning landlords and developers would need planning permission to create any new HMO, regardless of size. Existing HMOs would not be affected by the proposed planning changes.
The council says the move would allow it to better understand where new HMOs are located and to assess their impact on local communities and services.
INVESTMENT WORRY
In parallel, the additional licensing proposal would extend safety and management requirements to all HMOs, both existing and new.
Properties would be inspected for compliance with safety and hazard standards and landlords would be required to demonstrate effective management, including addressing issues such as anti-social behaviour.
Letting agents operating in the area are being advised to monitor the consultations closely, as the changes could affect investment decisions, planning timescales and ongoing compliance obligations for HMO portfolios.
NOTHING DECIDED YET
Councillor Richard Overton, Deputy Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council and Cabinet Member for Highways, Housing and Enforcement, says: “We want to make sure that homes in the HMO sector are safe, well-managed and meet fair standards, and the proposals we’ve put forward are designed to help us achieve that.
“The consultation is now live, and this is the moment when people’s voices are essential.
“Nothing has been decided yet, and we need residents, landlords and community organisations to tell us what they think so that any future approach is balanced, transparent and genuinely shaped by local people.”
