Written question asked by Lord Jackson of Peterborough (Conservative) on Thursday, 12 May 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 May 2011. It was answered by Robert Neill (Conservative) on Wednesday, 18 May 2011 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Multiple Occupation

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to review the changes in permitted development rights for small scale houses in multiple occupation (C4 use class); and if he will make a statement.

Answer: In October 2010, we introduced a permitted development right to allow changes of use from family houses to small houses in multiple occupation to take place without the need to submit planning applications. We are committed to reviewing the impact of those legislative changes in 2013.In areas where there is a need to control houses in multiple occupation, local authorities can use an Article 4 direction to remove these permitted development rights and require planning applications for such changes of use. This gives councils the flexibility to tackle problems where they occur without imposing red tape on the wider rental market.

Secondary information