To have handed the new owners the no more HMO letter from the council regarding the street.

[itsmeits]

Thats it basically, new owners of down the road have been at the property this morning with the builder.
They politely introduced themselves, I welcomed them to the street and said look forward to seeing them around.

The Man then told me we won't see them as the house will be a HMO.
I asked do you not know there is an order no more HMOs on the street - did the estate agent not tell you, it's a protected area due to the amount of HMOs in the area. The 10% rule.

They both looked flabbergasted and informed me it would be a HMO.
Said I would be back in a minute, toddled back to mine printed the email (took out personal info) and handed them the information.
Pissed was not the word. I have been told I am lying and made this up. Advised they speak to councilort confirm the information.

YABU - leave them to - even though there is an order saying no more on the street.
YANBU - this information should be on the house listing when selling so potential buyers know.

Yes I agree. The options don't really make any sense. You can't do any more now but you've done them a favour giving them the information. I also agree someone should have made them aware of this through the house buying process - although I'd assume solicitor rather than estate agent.

I have checked the listing it says ideal family home. Nothing about can't be a HMO on it.

He's on the phone to the estate agent now. Not a happy bunny. Woman has thanked me for the knowledge, the builder has left.
House is going back on market from what she has just said.

If he was a cash buyer no searches needed. I would print off the denied application and post it through the sold house letterbox, the nice neighbor and contact council. If it’s two storey he might be better letting as is or convert to two dwellings.

Agree with pp about informing the neighbour as it’s going to impact them most. Slightly different scenario, but there’s an area near me which has been destroyed by HMO’s because it was just about close enough to the university to slowly morph into a popular student area. The permanent residents are absolutely tortured.

Well done! As a person who is "sandwiched" in an area that has been flooded with HMOs for students, it's good you told them. I got vicarious satisfaction from reading that.
I like students, and having young people around, and I don't object to HMO's. It's about balance. My neighbourhood has been turned into a student campus, sadly the council didn't introduce the sandwich rule until after HMO licenses had been granted to the houses either side. This impacts the value of my house, all because of greedy HMO landlords, and a Uni that keeps enrolling more and more students every year.

Ah, see you’ve already informed neighbour. That’s good.

Why were they drunk?

So one planning application has been refused?

Or has the Council applied an Article 4 direction to the area?

The refusal of one application does not mean that others won't be allowed - every application is looked at on its merits.

Not all HMOs require PP anyway - depends on the size.

Toddle off back to your mansion/mobile home. Stop being a twat to people who have housing problems

This is happening now, in real time? Do hang around outside to update us!

We are in a London borough and have a similar issue with HMOs. People desperately need housing but too many of them are rundown cesspits operated by greedy landlords.

Oh look! It’s one of those really tiresome people who don’t approve of Americanisms.

Do you have any HMOs where you live? I’m in a street that has a fair few and trust me, they are NOT the answer to solving the housing crisis. Exorbitant rents for shoddy conditions.

“We didn’t know” my arse. They knew, they’re just assuming they can get away with it. These types of landlords are the absolute worst (I am a landlord myself). Cramming people in crappy conditions to make a fast buck - utterly unscrupulous. Inform the council in writing asap.

It would have brought me so much pleasure to tell them :)

Ah yes, the modern-day Rachmans who fleece poor and desperate people are definitely the victims here.

It won’t mean ‘no more HMOs’. I imagine wherever you live an Article 4 Direction has been introduced which basically means a change of use from C3 to C4 (a small HMO) requires planning permission whereas it would normally be permitted development. So dependent on the individual submission they may still get planning permission to use it as a HMO.

Exactly this. Tell them work is beginning to turn it into an HMO. Pre-empt the conversion.

Good for you. This is all overdue, families are struggling to find big enough houses because bigger places are being bought up and spilt into flats.

I would deffo do this

They will no doubt just do it anyway.
Next Door was rented out to a couple will then submit it to another couple four people cars on a street with no bloody parking

I’m surprised that their solicitor didn’t spot this. They could probably take action against them. It should’ve come up in the searches.
One of the hazards of not being utterly transparent with your solicitor, no doubt

Universities should all have enough purpose built accommodation to house all students for all 3 years imo. Better for students and for locals

But from the OP’s details they haven’t turned it into a HMO. There is simply nothing to enforce against at this point.

I'd definitely contact the council and the lady whose house would be most affected, and be ready to get in a planning objection, if this owner does try to apply for change of use.

This.

Also before the new owners spend money converting. Easier to stop before than try to amend once people living there imo