January 26, 2016 9.23 am This story is over 97 months old

New limits on number of shared homes in Lincoln to be introduced

Article 4: New powers limiting the number of houses that can be split into shared properties will be introduced in Lincoln.

New powers limiting the number of houses that can be split into shared properties will be introduced in Lincoln.

City of Lincoln Council’s Executive approved the measures, giving the authority more control over the location and density of houses in multiple occupation, at a meeting on Monday, January 25.

The Article 4 direction means homeowners wishing to convert their property into a HMO will need planning permission from March 1 this year.

The move follows more than 12 months of evidence-gathering, including three public consultations, after members agreed in December 2014 to put limits in place after residents raised concerns over the impact of high densities of HMOs in certain areas.

Planning applications for HMOs will be judged against criteria including that no more than 10% of properties within a 100 metre radius of the property should be HMOs.

More than 500 HMOs in Lincoln have been declared as part of the council’s evidence gathering to improve its knowledge of HMOs in the city.

Landlords and property owners can continue to declare existing HMOs on the council’s website.