A bid to clamp down on ‘wholly unacceptable adverse impacts’ and force landlords to get permission before converting homes into houseshares has been backed unanimously.

Ipswich Borough Council signed off on the motion at its executive meeting which will introduce new requirements for landlords converting their homes to house multiple tenants.

The calls are in a bid to avoid ‘wholly unacceptable adverse impacts’ on residents affected by small houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

In recent months there have been a number of applications to turn properties into HMO's that have received mixed reaction from councillors and neighbours.

The decision would need to be signed off by Michael Gove, the Housing Secretary, but it would force landlords planning to open HMOs for fewer than six people to apply for planning permission in parts of Ipswich.

Cllr Carol Jones, who moved the motion, said: “Developers who buy little terraced houses in very nice, ordinary, parts of town should not be allowed to turn those into HMOs without going through a proper procedure.

“They have to make a planning application which is then judged — it’s a really simple thing.”

Although Cllr Jones was disappointed the motion could not affect the whole of Ipswich, she still welcomed its approval for zones within the wards of Alexandra, Bixley, Castle Hill, Gipping, and others.

This is because national legislation mandates these measures should only be applied to ‘the smallest geographical area possible’.

This leaves Cllr Jones still worried about those who are impacted by these HMOs as many people could be living in poor conditions.

Because HMOs traditionally fall within permitted development, there are often no records of where these houses are within the borough, making it harder for councillors to identify issues.

Nevertheless, the cross-party support for the restrictions should mean those in the affected areas see their living conditions improved.