Belfast HMO Subject Plan 2015
Policy HMO 6
Policy HMO 6 is designed to protect the amenity of residential areas.
The number of bedrooms or occupants is restricted to 4 within an HMO which is within a Policy Area in order to promote the concept of smaller unit housing which can be more readily managed and controlled. It also protects the scale and character of some properties from over-development whereby the character of the area suffers detrimental change. If a change in the market should take place in future years, then houses converted to HMO use could be adapted or returned to family usage if this limit is set.
In order to protect existing housing stock which is still considered suitable for family occupation, a minimum size limit is placed on houses which will be permitted for conversion to flats for HMO development. This will be particularly relevant in streets of traditional two-storey 2 or 3 bedroom properties, which do not lend themselves to conversion due to the scale and nature of the existing property.
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