Preston's HMO Expansion: What Two New 7-Bed Properties Mean for Social Housing

Hot on the heels of last week's 9-bed HMO application, Preston City Council has received plans for two additional 7-bed Houses in Multiple Occupation - including one in a Grade II listed building. This rapid development raises crucial questions for housing professionals: How will this impact local housing needs? What special considerations apply to listed building conversions? And what opportunities does this present for supported housing providers?

The Preston HMO Landscape: Current Developments

The submitted plans include:

• A 7-bed HMO conversion at a Victorian terrace on a main arterial road
• A 7-bed HMO in a Grade II listed former commercial property in the conservation area

This comes as Preston sees growing demand for shared accommodation, particularly among young professionals and benefit claimants. For housing associations, these developments could represent both competition and collaboration opportunities in the supported housing sector.

Key Considerations for Housing Professionals

1. Listed Building Conversions: Special Requirements

The Grade II listed proposal requires particular attention to:

• Heritage England consultation requirements
• Restricted modification options for fire safety adaptations
• Potential higher maintenance costs

For providers considering similar projects, our resources section includes case studies on successful historic property conversions.

2. Licensing and Compliance Factors

Preston operates a selective licensing scheme covering most central wards. Key compliance areas include:

• Minimum room sizes (currently 6.51m² for single occupancy)
• Fire safety provisions
• Facilities per occupant ratios

3. Supported Housing Opportunities

With the right adaptations, these properties could serve:

• Young people leaving care (via supported housing providers)
• Individuals with mental health needs
• Former rough sleepers through Housing First initiatives

Actionable Insights for Housing Associations

For RSLs and housing providers, these developments suggest several strategic responses:

1. Partnership Potential

Consider collaborating with private HMO landlords through:

• Management agreements
• Nomination rights arrangements
• Joint supported housing ventures

2. Quality Benchmarking

Use these new developments to benchmark your own RSL properties against:

• Space standards
• Facility offerings
• Tenant support packages

3. Planning Engagement

Actively monitor and respond to local planning applications to:

• Shape HMO quality standards
• Identify potential acquisition targets
• Ensure community needs are met

The Bigger Picture: Preston's Housing Strategy

These applications align with Preston's Local Plan objectives to:

• Increase housing density in central locations
• Regenerate historic buildings
• Provide diverse accommodation options

For housing professionals, understanding these strategic goals is key to aligning your own development plans with council priorities.

Key Takeaways

• Preston's HMO market is expanding rapidly, creating both challenges and opportunities
• Listed building conversions require specialist knowledge and additional compliance steps
• Strategic partnerships between private HMO landlords and housing associations could benefit vulnerable tenants
• Active engagement with local planning processes helps shape housing quality standards

For more insights on managing HMO properties, visit our housing professionals blog or browse our exempt accommodation resources.