Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) SPD

Updated HMO SPD (2026)

The updated Houses in Multiple Occupation SPD was adopted by Broxtowe Borough Council’s Cabinet (Opens in a New Window) at its meeting on 2^nd June 2026 (Item 7.3). The Borough Council has prepared an Adoption Statement(.pdf)(197KB)(Opens in New Window) (Opens in a New Window). The final Supplementary Planning Document and Report of Consultation can be viewed below.

• Adopted Updated Houses in Multiple Occupation SPD June 2026(.pdf)(11.2MB)(Opens in New Window) (Opens in a New Window)
• Report of Consultation(.pdf)(197KB)(Opens in New Window) (Opens in a New Window)

The adopted Supplementary Planning Document is now a material consideration in the determination of relevant planning applications.

As noted within the Council’s Adoption Statement(.pdf)(197KB)(Opens in New Window) (Opens in a New Window), any person with sufficient interest in the decision to adopt the Supplementary Planning Document may apply to the High Court for permission to apply for judicial review of that decision. Any such application must be made promptly and in any event not later than 3 months after the date on which the Supplementary Planning Document was adopted.

Should you require any further information or assistance in relation to the Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document or the Adoption Statement, please feel free to contact the Planning Policy Team on 0115 917 7777 (please ask for Planning Policy) or by email at policy@broxtowe.gov.uk.

Background

The Council has produced an updated HMO SPD. The consultation in relation to this document closed on Friday 8^th May and the responses have now been considered.

• Draft Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Supplementary Planning Document(.pdf)(5.7MB)(Opens in New Window) (Opens in a New Window)
• Consultation Notice March 2026(.pdf)(145KB)(Opens in New Window) (Opens in a New Window)
• Consultation Statement March 2026(.pdf)(125KB)(Opens in New Window) (Opens in a New Window)

The key changes are summarised below:

• Clearer section headings and refined numbering.
• Removed specific references to the Beeston Article 4 Area to clarify the SPD applies to all planning applications for new Houses in Multiple Occupation.
• Wider policy context, with explicit references to the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan (GNSP) and its emerging policies, including space standards.
• Updated explanation of HMOs, including clearer explanation of Use Classes, Permitted Development Rights, and Article 4 Directions.
• Clearly defined assessment criteria as ‘Principles’.
• Refined wording in relation to car parking and cycle parking to align with national and local policy requirements.
• New section on Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), setting out how PBSA should be considered alongside HMOs when assessing cumulative impacts.

Previous Version of the HMO SPD 

The previous version of the HMO SPD and previous versions of the supporting documents (now superseded) can be found below.

At the Council's Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 19th July 2022, it was resolved to adopt the (initial, now superseded) HMO SPD with the recommended changes that were put forward. 

• Adoption Statement(.pdf)(104KB)(Opens in a New Window) (Opens in a New Window)
• Previous Houses of Multiple Occupation - Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)(.pdf)(1.6MB)(Opens in New Window) (Opens in a New Window)

The consultation of the original HMO SPD ran between 11th April and 14th May 2022, and all responses received during this time were considered when finalising the document.  The Consultation Notice can be viewed below:

• Consultation Notice(.pdf)(103KB)(Opens in New Window) (Opens in a New Window) 
• Report of Representations(.pdf)(549KB)(Opens in New Window) (Opens in a New Window)