Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document

Why we are consulting

Maidstone Borough Council is inviting residents, landlords, and relevant stakeholders to take part in the consultation for the:

• Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

The Council recognises the important role Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) play in providing affordable housing for a wide range of residents, including young professionals, students, and key workers. However, concerns have been raised regarding the impact of HMOs on local communities.

On the 19^{th of} March, 2025, the Cabinet approved the draft HMO SPD, the Consultation Statement, and the consultation period. More details of the Cabinet’s decision are available via this link.

The HMO SPD seeks to:

• Improve the quality of HMO accommodation in Maidstone
• Minimise potential adverse effects on neighbouring properties
• Balance the need for family homes with the demand for HMOs
• Provide a clear and consistent framework for HMO planning applications

How the proposed HMO SPD may affect you:

• If you are a resident: If you live in a neighbourhood with HMOs, the SPD aims to ensure new developments are well-managed and do not negatively impact the local community. This includes addressing concerns about parking, waste management, and neighbourhood character.
• If you are an HMO tenants: The SPD seeks to improve living conditions in HMOs by promoting better housing standards, ensuring safe and high-quality accommodation for tenants.
• If you are an HMO planning applicant: Clearer guidelines on HMO planning applications will help you understand requirements, avoid potential refusals, and support responsible property management.
• If you are a landlord, HMO licence holders, or letting agent: The SPD will provide planning guidance as well as references to relevant non-planning guidance to help you comply with regulations and local policies.
• Relevant organisations & stakeholders: Your input will help shape the SPD to balance HMO demand with local communities’ needs, ensuring that Maidstone remains a great place to live for everyone.

How to get involved

Survey - Click here to start the survey

• Survey closes: 27 April 2025
• Survey takes 5-10 minutes to complete.

What happens next

Your feedback will help shape the way HMOs planning applications are dealt with in Maidstone. After the consultation period closes, we will:

• Review and analyse all feedback received.
• Make necessary amendments to the SPD based on public and stakeholder input.
• Present a final version of the document for adoption by the Council later this year.

Once adopted, the SPD will become a material consideration when determining future HMO planning applications.