HMO Licensing Changes Face Legal Challenge

A group of councils is to sue the government over changes to legislation on houses in multiple occupation. Oxford, Milton Keynes, and Newcastle councils have launched a judicial review against the decision by housing minister Grant Shapps to allow landlords to change a property into a house of multiple occupation without seeking planning permission. The new rules mean councils can choose whether to restrict HMO developments in their areas. The councils who have lodged the judicial review are supported by the National Organisation of Residents Associations and a number of other local authorities including Charnwood, Nottingham, Leeds, Torbay and Bristol. They claim the government did not consult local authorities adequately over the changes, which were announced in September. Read more on Inside Housing.