Are you aware of the hefty additional costs which may cause you financial hardship?

Westcountry Landlords Association has uncovered a 'hidden' charge.

If you are making a planning application for 'shared houses' [HMO's] (three or more persons unrelated) you would be subject to a Section 106 Agreement. This was previously applied to 'new' developments but is now being applied to HMO conversions.

Plymouth City Council are applying this charge at the rate of £4098 per bedspace created!

More Info on Section 106 Agreements from the Improvement and Development Agency (IDEA)

This charge is now 'under review', however the twist could be that alternatively a charge could be applied under the The Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 No. 948 (introduced on 6th April 2010) Read more on this from the Office of Public Information website (OPSI)

Some Local Authorities are currently not charging this (at the moment). Westcountry Landlords Association will be discussing this with Planning Chiefs to avoid this draconian 'stealth' charge which is unfair.

Please join Westcountry Landlords Association's campaign by emailing your comments to us. Or if you are already experiencing this 'charge' after submitting a planning application and have been requested for additional costs (other than the nationally applied £335 application fee) please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it