The Greater Manchester borough pulling the brakes on HMOs

A Greater Manchester borough is pulling the brakes on HMO conversions, after the issue sparked protests over the summer.

Oldham Council are launching a borough-wide Article 4 Direction – a special rule that means developers have to apply for planning permission to turn their properties into homes of multiple occupation. Under current regulation, only HMOs housing more than six people require official permission. 

Locals in areas such as Shaw claim a sudden ‘flood of HMOs’ is ruining their community by introducing more transient residents. It’s also impacting their high street by taking over buildings that previously housed public assets like banks and pubs. 

According to the ‘best available evidence’ collated by the council, only 384 of the 98,912 houses in Oldham are actually HMOs. But a map created by the town hall reveals there are major ‘HMO hotspots’ – in Failsworth, Hathershaw, Oldham town centre, Waterhead and Shaw. 

A report created by the council stated: “It is recognised that HMOs provide a much-needed source of housing for various groups in need within the borough, including young people, students, and single person households. But poorly managed and maintained HMOs, especially where clusters of HMOs arise in one place, can have a detrimental impact on local areas.” 

The report was presented at a Cabinet meeting on Monday, September 23, where town hall bosses agreed to forge ahead with plans to initiate an Article 4 Directive. The Local Authority will start a six-week consultation period from September 29. The directive is expected to start from January 1, 2026. 

The new rules wouldn’t mean Oldham can put a blanket ban on HMOs in the area. Instead, smaller HMOs would be required to seek planning permission, meaning the town planning department can intervene in cases where houses don’t adhere to space standards, and stop HMO ‘clustering’.