A Northampton property being converted into serviced accommodation has been criticised for apparently bypassing HMO regulations, the Northampton Chronicle and Echo reports.
West Northamptonshire Council has recommended the conversion at 105 Lea Road in Abington, but the proposal is up for discussion at a planning committee meeting this Friday 10th January.
Serviced accommodation refers to an entire property being let – often on a short term-basis – while HMOs refer to a property being rented to unrelated tenants.
Labour councillor Zoe Smith said: “This area already has 28% HMOs in a 50-metre radius, far exceeding the 10% limit set by council policy.
“If this property were counted as a HMO, it would increase this to 32% in a 50-metre radius. However, as it’s being applied for as ‘serviced accommodation’, it cannot be counted as such in planning terms.
“Applications like this, as well as an increase in the use of properties as Airbnbs, represent a real threat to our ability as a council to create balanced communities and mitigate the impact on residential amenity for neighbours. I will be speaking against this application when it comes to the planning committee.”
Northampton Town Council added that the development threatens to worsen parking problems, as well as highway safety concerns.
An objector is quoted as saying: “This home should be available as an affordable family home and not serve as an unscrupulous attempt to ‘get rich quick’ [scheme].”
The applicant, Richard Camp of RGC Property Solutions Ltd, denied that the property will be a covert HMO.
He said: “At no time will strangers be living together, this property will only be let to companies and will be rented out to groups of work colleagues who are known to each other.
“This service provides a safe and managed home-from-home, attracting professional people.
“There will also be families relocating to Northampton who need temporary accommodation until they find somewhere long-term to live.
“Again, families will not be partying or causing noise at the property.”