Dudley councillors are set to debate tough new rules for homes in multiple occupation (HMOs) at an extraordinary meeting called by Reform UK. Members of the authority will discuss the proposals at a full council meeting on September 10, with the party calling for measures including licences for smaller HMOs with fewer than five occupants.
Reform UK's Proposals for Stricter Controls
The council is currently consulting on a new local plan to define planning policy in Dudley until 2045. Reform UK, which is the official opposition to the Conservative administration, says including tougher regulations in the new policy is the only way to give them permanent legal force. The party is calling for a 'practice note' to guide officers in preparing the local plan's policies for HMO applications.
Reform's proposals state: "The note must set out a clear, numerical proposal for how many HMOs are too many in one area, and must be published for public consultation for at least six weeks before cabinet adopts it."
Two Options for Density Limits
Reform says the practice note must consult on two options for limiting HMO density. The first is a safe minimum of no more than ten percent of homes within 100 metres of a proposed HMO being other HMOs. The second, tougher option is no more than five percent of homes within 50 metres, with lower limits in areas that already have many HMOs.
The tougher option also includes a ban on two HMOs standing next to each other and a ban on a family home being sandwiched between two HMOs. Reform is also calling on council officers to gather their own evidence on applications rather than relying on information from applicants, and to produce a comprehensive map of all known HMOs within the borough.
Current Rules and Consultation Timeline
Under the current Dudley Local Plan, which was adopted in July 2026 but is already out of date due to changes in legislation, HMOs will only be permitted in specific circumstances. These include where it satisfies a housing need and does not have an adverse impact on neighbouring properties.
The new local plan is open for public consultation until September 10, the same day as the full council meeting. The outcome of the debate and the consultation will shape how HMOs are regulated in Dudley for years to come, with the new plan set to define planning policy until 2045.
