News and Articles
17th January 2012: York City Council Decision ~ HMO Regulation
On 10th January 2012 YCC's Cabinet met to finalise details of the Article 4 resolution passed at the end of last year. This article relates to one area of concern in particular - how YCC will determine whether an application warrants consideration - but if you want to read more detail please click here to visit the appropriate section of the YCC website. Don't miss the Accompanying Documents at the bottom of that page.
In Brief:
YCC states that "it is necessary to control the number of HMOs to ensure that communities do not become imbalanced. This control will be achieved through an Article 4 Direction which will come into force on 20 April 2012. This removes permitted development rights, requiring a planning application to be submitted to change a property into an HMO."
10th January Meeting ~ Councillors were presented with three options for assessing the concentration of HMOs:
Option 1:
Do you think the neighbourhood area approach set out in Option 1 is the
best way to manage concentrations of HMOs?
Option 2:
Do you think the street by street approach set out in Option 2 is the best
way to manage concentrations of HMOs?
Option 3:
Do you think a neighbourhood and street level approach set out in
Option 3 is the best way to manage concentrations of HMOs?
(For full explanations of the above options please refer to the YCC website via the link above)
Councillors voted for Option 1 (Neighbourhood Level). The full explanation is too wordy to post here, but please refer to that YCC link above to read it.
The 20% Rule
What you should be aware of is this:
"In assessing planning applications for HMOs that fall within a neighbourhood
area with less than 20% of properties being HMOs and particularly in marginal
cases where a neighbourhood area is approaching the 20% threshold the
Council will seek to ensure that the change of use will not be detrimental to
the overall residential amenity of the area. In considering the impact on
residential amenity attention will be given to whether the applicant has
demonstrated the following:
- the dwelling is large enough to accommodate an increased number of residents
- there is sufficient space for potential additional cars to park
- there is sufficient space for appropriate provision for secure cycle parking
- the condition of the property is of a high standard that contributes positively to the character of the area and that the condition of the
- property will be maintained following the change of use to HMO
- the increase in number of residents will not have an adverse impact on noise levels and the level of amenity neighbouring residents can reasonably expect to enjoy
- there is sufficient space for storage provision for waste/recycling containers in a suitable enclosure area within the curtilage of the property
- the change of use and increase in number of residents will not result in the loss of front garden for hard standing for parking and refuse areas which would detract from the existing street scene."
Related link: http://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?AIId=26996
10th January 2012: Lender Launches 50 New Mortgage Products
Paragon Mortgages has launched 44 new products to the buy to let market, aimed at professional landlords, while its sister company, Mortgage Trust expands its offering with 6 new products to help landlords further grow their businesses in 2012, according to a report in Property Drum.
For the full article, click on the link.
3rd January 2012: Property Drum Acquires The Negotiator
Propertydrum Ltd has acquired The Negotiator, the trade magazine for the estate and letting agency industry, from Ocean Media Group.
The deal saw the transfer of The Negotiator magazine, the website (www.the-negotiator.co.uk) and The Negotiator Awards, to Propertydrum Ltd on 22nd December 2011.
The Negotiator, which has been a highly regarded trade title for 25 years, will now be sister magazine to PROPERTYdrum. Both magazines are distributed to estate and letting agent offices across the country.
Related link: www.the-negotiator.co.uk
