2.1 Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) are properties rented to at least 3 people who are not from one household (for example, a family) but share facilities like a bathroom or kitchen. As at 2022, planning permission is only required for HMOs which will provide a home for 7 or more people.

2.2 HMOs meet a variety of needs for private rented housing, ranging from young professional 'house-shares' and students wanting to live off campus, as well as providing a vital source of housing supply for people on lower incomes. For many people, HMOs provide a practical and affordable housing option that meets their housing needs. There are, however, significant housing needs that HMOs cannot meet and indeed can impact upon, such as the provision of affordable housing stock for families.

2.3 Evidence shows that there has been an increase in HMO development in Coventry over recent years to meet demand. This has resulted in concentrations of HMOs in particular parts of the city which has compounded the associated issues for the neighbouring properties and the wider community. These issues mainly relate to increased parking pressures, noise, management of waste and recycling and anti-social behaviour. This document aims to provide a policy approach to HMOs, housing diversity, residential amenity and parking standards in order to ensure that new HMO developments meet the requirements of our policies in terms of impact on the surrounding areas.

2.4 This will help us to provide much needed new housing options whilst ensuring that new development does not have a negative impact on the character of the surrounding area and nearby properties. The Development Plan Document (DPD) is primarily for use by prospective planning applicants, property developers and landowners, as well as decision makers such as planning officers and elected members. However, it also intended to help local residents understand how the Council intends to apply its planning policies. It is important to note that not all HMOs require planning permission. This document relates to the management of planning applications for new HMOs when planning permission is required, but also explains the role of the HMO licencing regime which is a separate process that can relate to both HMOs which do, and do not, require planning permission.