A “war on slum landlords” has been declared in a Greater Manchester borough.
All houses in multiple occupancy (HMOs) in Tameside will now require planning permission regardless of size.
Previously, only HMOs that housed seven or more people needed planning permission.
HMOs are houses where groups of unrelated adults live, often students, single people, professionals, or low-income workers.
The council said the new rules would ensure shared housing was safe, well-managed and worked for everyone, while promising communities a voice through the planning process, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reports.
Tameside is the second Greater Manchester authority to look to implement such measures.
Councillors heard last week how the move could allow Tameside Council greater control over room size, location, parking spaces and potential impact on neighbours.
Councillor Stephen Homer told the meeting it was not about demonising HMOs, but a “war on the slum landlords”.
Councillor Andrew McLaren said the crackdown was introduced “in response to residents’ concerns”.
“These new controls will help us maintain a balanced housing mix that can bring benefits to the borough while ensuring shared homes are safe, well-managed, and responsibly developed and give residents a voice through the planning process”, he said.