Unscrupulous landlords “won’t be losing sleep” over moves to tackle a growth in bedsits in parts of Sefton without an increase in enforcement officers according to the borough council’s opposition leader.
Sefton Council has taken action in recent months to stem the rise in houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) and bedsits in some of the borough’s towns.
Measures taken have included tougher planning rules designed to kerb potential issues around waste, anti-social behaviour and over-occupation by requiring potential landlords to submit a management plan, keep copies of all complaints and make contact details available to neighbours.
READ MORE: Faces of eight men jailed for life after hunting down and murdering former boxer
These follow the implementation of a directive called Article 4 in parts of the borough, which makes it harder for landlords to convert family homes into bedsits by requiring full planning permission for some conversions which were previously allowed under permitted development rights.
Cllr John Pugh, leader of the Liberal Democract opposition in Sefton, has warned however that while the moves are “welcoming” they could lack teeth without proper enforcement.
Cllr Pugh, who represents Dukes ward which has high levels of bedsits spoke of some of the issues that can arise from HMO conversions. He said: “The conversion of larger properties to HMOs is an on-going problem particularly as many are in poor shape and there are few carrots or sticks to make landlords invest in them.
“Unsightly properties bring a neighbourhood down and are sometimes associated with other issues like anti-social behaviour and poor rubbish collection.”
Cllr Pugh added that while he felt recent moves by the council were a “step forward” the measures do not solve the borough’s “bedsit world” problems.
He said: “Anyone trying to convert a property into an HMO will under the new regs have to submit clear plans for how waste is to be managed, how the outside of the property including fences and garden areas will be kept and what the procedures will be following a complaint of anti-social behaviour. If the owner or landlord can’t do that, he won’t get permission to turn the property into bedsits.”
This new planning guidance addresses the main issues including keeping a proper register of occupants. It’s a step forward. However, he added: “Sefton has limited resources for enforcing the existing regulations and the unscrupulous or negligent landlord will not be losing any sleep over regulations that aren’t backed by diligent enforcement.
“Too many tenants in poor situations are ignorant of their rights or are unwilling to exercise them – looking to move rather than press for improvements.”
In recent months, applications to convert houses of multiple occupation have come to the borough’s planning committee, with members raising a range of concerns around how these properties could be managed, leading to a number being rejected over a range of concerns – including about the impact on neighbouring houses.
Responding to the concerns raised by Cllr Pugh, Sefton Council cabinet member for planning, Cllr Darren Veidman, said the enforcement team would “take the appropriate action” if any breaches of planning regulations were found to have taken place.
Cllr Veidman said: “While it is the applicant’s responsibility to adhere to the approved details, the planning enforcement team will investigate reports of any permissions not being implemented correctly, including compliance with management plans, and take the appropriate action in the event of any planning breaches being found.
“Furthermore, the planning enforcement team will continue to work with colleagues from Housing Standards and other Council officers to identify breaches.” He added the council submissions from members of the public with concerns, saying: “We understand the impact poorly managed properties can have on other residents.”
Cllr Trish Hardy, cabinet member for communities and housing, said the council’s decision to extend its HMO licensing scheme until Feburary 2028 was “valuable work to protect local residents.”
Cllr Hardy said: “Since its introduction in March 2018, Sefton Council has used the licensing scheme to improve the management of privately rented properties, including the removal of over 3,000 serious health and safety hazards from licensed properties. These have included fire safety, electrical hazards, damp and mould and excess cold.
“The vast majority of cases are resolved informally by us working with landlords, but we do not hesitate to use formal enforcement powers when necessary.”
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
READ NEXT
Baby found dead in bed next to mum after she drank beer and took cocaine
Dog expert's theory as Nicola Bulley's dog found running around
Two people arrested after £15k found stuffed between pair of 110s
Pupils stage protest as 'strictest headteacher in Britain' brought in to Liverpool school
