End the HMO free-for-all now across the city, not half of it," says Liverpool Lib Dem Leader

The Liverpool Liberal Democrats have called in Liverpool Labour's decision on HMOs. They are demanding an immediate Article 4 direction across every ward in the city, not the partial scheme Labour has signed off.

Under Labour's plan, only a handful of area will be protected. The rest of the city has to wait at least 12 months. Councillor Carl Cashman, Leader of the Liverpool Liberal Democrats, says the delay is reckless. He warns it gives rogue developers a year-long window to convert as many family homes as they can before the rules apply.

He also warns that the plan will push the problem into new neighbourhoods. With the protected wards closed off, developers will move straight into the areas still left open. That includes Woolton, West Derby, Mossley Hill, Allerton, Childwall and parts of Fazakerley.

The unchecked rise in HMOs is damaging communities across Liverpool. It takes family homes out of circulation and pushes up prices for first-time buyers and renters. It also puts strain on local services, from GP surgeries to bin collections and parking. In October alone, one developer operating under three different company names applied to convert three properties on the same road in Walton into HMOs.

An Article 4 direction removes permitted development rights. Anyone wanting to convert a family home into an HMO then needs planning permission, and residents get a say.

The Lib Dems have formally "called in" Cabinet's decision. The call-in process lets four councillors ask the council to consider an alternative course of action. In this case, the alternative is simple: include the whole city in the immediate Article 4 direction.

Councillor Carl Cashman, Leader of the Liverpool Liberal Democrats, said:

"For years Labour have let HMOs run riot across Liverpool. Their own Cabinet member for Housing admitted she didn't know how many there were in the city. That's how far this has been allowed to slide.

"Residents on one street now get a say on HMOs. One street over, it's a free-for-all for the next year. And everyone knows what will happen next. Developers will pile into Woolton, West Derby, Mossley Hill and every other area Labour has left open. Labour isn't solving the problem. It's moving it to new areas of the city.'

"This is a political choice. Labour's own report says other councils have put their whole area under an immediate Article 4 direction and that the risks are relatively low. There is no excuse for not doing the same.

"So we're asking Labour to listen to residents and act now, across the whole city. If they reject our call-in and allow another 12 months of this free-for-all, I pledge that a Lib Dem-led council will bring in a city-wide Article 4 direction on day one next May."