The three Walsall areas to be assessed for new HMO rules

Walsall councillors have approved several new measures to tackle the number of Houses of Multiple Occupations (HMO) across the borough. 

Reform cabinet members Councillor Stuart Chapman and Councillor Peter Harrison submitted a Notice of Motion calling for changes in the planning process and the enforcement of HMOs. 

Currently, there is an additional HMO licensing scheme for the wards of Palfrey and the Delves, St Matthew’s, Paddock and Pleck. 

Councillors approved reviewing all remaining wards in the borough, starting with Willenhall, Darlaston South, and Bentley and Darlaston North, to see if additional schemes could be introduced elsewhere. 

Officers now have eight weeks to report back to cabinet with their findings.

Members also voted in favour of visiting all properties where validated reports of unauthorised HMOs have been received, and to contact the person who reported the complaint within 10 working days of the visit to advise on any further action. 

Finally, members agreed that all planning applications relating to HMOs will continue to be determined by the planning committee. 

It was confirmed by the council’s monitoring officer that this aspect will only remain in place until October this year when the Labour government’s planning reforms are introduced. 

After that, HMOs will ‘more than likely’ be decided by officers rather than the planning committee. 

All members who spoke on Reform’s motion did so in support. 

Councillor Simran Cheema, Labour, said: “As the Willenhall ward councillor many of you will be aware that I’ve long-been leading a campaign against HMOs in Willenhall as it feels like it’s fast becoming the HMO capital of Walsall. 

“These issues have a real impact on neighbours and the wider community. And one of the biggest frustrations that I have is the length of time it takes to hear back from planning enforcement about cases raised.”

Councillor Adrian Andrew, leader of the Conservative group, added: “HMOs do have a role to play within the housing sector, but HMOs that are managed in such an appalling way across this borough are changing our communities.

“That’s why there’s probably more of a threat to the green belt because we’re losing these family houses to HMOs.”

Councillor Aftab Nawaz, leader of Walsall Community Independents (WCI), said: “On many occasions we see many HMOs where the waste facilities haven’t been sorted out correctly. “In my own ward, in St Matthews, we’ve seen HMOs create a lot of trouble, particularly antisocial behaviour. It’s awful to live next door to that.

“In October HMOs will be determined by officers of the council, not by elected members. That for me is a backward step. I was against the planning reforms because they’re taking elected members, and therefore the public who put us here, out of the decision making role.”

Councillor Khizar Hussain, WCI, had already put forward a question to cabinet members calling for the number of HMOs to be limited in areas that already have a large number. 

On the motion Councillor Hussain said: “In the Pleck and St Matthew’s ward they have the highest amount of HMOs and it is devastating for communities.”

Councillor Hajran Bashir, WCI, added: “It’s a big problem in my ward in Palfrey and the Delves. We need to hold landlords accountable. The flytipping is a constant problem and the landlords are nowhere to be contacted. I support the motion, HMOs are a major problem.”

Councillor Peter Burton, Reform, said: “I would say Darlaston is the HMO unlicensed capital of England, let alone Walsall. Part of the problem is unlicensed HMOs and the management of these. I commend the motion but I think more needs to be done in prosecuting unlicensed HMOs.”