It was RESOLVED that Cabinet:
a) confirms that there is insufficient evidence to meet the legal threshold to justify an Article 4 Direction to remove or restrict permitted development rights for Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the Borough;
b) requests that the number of HMOs and complaints received continues to be monitored; and
c) requests that the matter is referred to Communities Scrutiny Group at the July meeting to scrutinise the following key lines of enquiry:
· Is there a robust evidence base demonstrating harm or risk of harm?
· What are the likely impacts – intended and unintended – of introducing an Article 4 Direction to remove or restrict permitted development rights for HMOs?
· Is making a Direction proportionate, enforceable and aligned with local and national policy?