To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the planned timetable is for introduction of secondary legislation to require houses in multiple occupation to have planning permission. (319120)

We are aiming to make the Order amending the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987, which will create the HMO use class, by 8 March 2010. This order does not need to be laid before Parliament.

We are also aiming to make the Order amending the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, which will make a change from a HMO to a C3 dwelling house permitted development, by 8 March and lay it before Parliament by 15 March 2010.

Both amendments will come into effect on 6 April 2010.