Tighter regulations for Falmouth landlords

Laura Rowe, Conveyancing Executive in Coodes Solicitors’ Residential Property team outlines proposed changes to renting out houses of multiple occupancy in and around Falmouth.

“Falmouth has fast become an area in which property prices have risen and the rental market has undergone a considerable increase. Falmouth and the surrounding areas has seen and benefitted from great investment, which has caused the ‘Buy to Let’ sector to expand. Falmouth now boasts almost half of all registered Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Cornwall.

“The growth in the rental market has led to tighter regulation on HMOs in Falmouth.

“A large HMO, which accommodates between three and six unrelated individuals with shared use of facilities and amenities, requires registration or licensing through the local authority. However, converting your property into a large HMO typically does not currently require planning permission and can be undertaken within permitted development rights.

“A recent Cornwall Council survey indicated that the residents and local authority wish to balance community need and sustainability in terms of housing the growing population. This has led to a re-drafting of the Cornwall Local Plan. Prepared by Cornwall Council, the plan identifies a need for a further 2,800 houses within the Falmouth and Penryn areas in order to keep up with the expansion of the university campuses and community needs as well as maintaining the supply of family homes available to residents.

“Falmouth Town Council therefore requested that Cornwall Council made a change to permitted development regulations and the local authority has responded accordingly with an intention to impose tighter restraint on HMOs. On the 16th June 2017 an Article 4 Direction will come into force requiring the need for planning permission in order to change the use of a property from a Class C3 (a standard residential dwelling) to a Class C4 (HMO). This means that a planning application will need to be submitted to Cornwall Council who will then decide whether or not permission will be granted, based on the location of the property, the number of HMOs already in the vicinity and the housing need. The Article 4 Direction is not intended to prevent HMOs but aims to maintain a sustainable mix of housing options within Falmouth and the surrounding areas.”

For further advice and assistance on buying or selling a property, contact Laura Rowe in Coodes Solicitors Falmouth office on 01326 318900 or laura.rowe@coodes.co.uk