A certificate of lawfulness was sought from Warrington Borough Council in an application submitted in June for number 26 Salisbury Street in Fairfield. This would be transformed to create a ‘small’ HMO, or house in multiple occupation, providing accommodation for six people. Planning documents state: “The existing property at number 26 Salisbury Street comprises a detached residential dwelling. “The proposed HMO will comprise six individual bedrooms for single occupancy and, therefore, accords with the definition of a small HMO for occupancy by no more than six residents. In granting permission, the council said: “The proposed change of use of the property from a single dwelling to a small HMO would comply with the criteria of permitted development.”