Lambeth (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Lambeth Council introduces new planning rules for small HMOs in Streatham wards following residents’ concerns about overcrowding and housing quality.
The council will have more authority over the development of new HMO homes in Streatham Common & Vale and Streatham St. Leonard’s that are occupied by multiple households according to the “Article 4 Direction.”
Lambeth Concerns about the disproportionately high number of HMOs and its related effects, such as alleged antisocial behavior, the loss of family homes, and the effect on the local character, were voiced by residents of both wards.
Starting on August 11, 2025, the two impacted wards will need to switch from regular residences to new “small HMOs” in order to obtain planning authorization. The council will be able to take into account factors including the loss of family dwellings, the effect on parking and local amenities, and more when evaluating such planning applications.
Councillor Danny Adilypour, Deputy Leader of the Council (Housing, Investment and New Homes) said: “We are taking firm action to address the negative impacts of HMOs on our residents. This planning mechanism will help control the number and impact of any additional HMOs, protecting family homes and our local communities.
With this decision, we will progress a key priority of our Housing Strategy – supporting healthy and safe neighbourhoods.”
The planning control is a part of a larger set of initiatives aimed at improving the private rental market, which also included the introduction of a new landlord licensing program last year to combat rogue landlords.
A change of use from a regular residence to a “small HMO” (which has three to six occupants) has not required planning permission since October 2010 because, according to national planning legislation, this is referred to as “permitted development.” This indicates that the council lacked the authority to stop the conversion of typical homes into tiny HMOs.
The suggested Direction was the subject of a public consultation from August 12 to October 7, 2024. 103 of the 153 representations that were received either endorsed the suggested Direction or claimed that HMOs were negatively affecting the community. The non-immediate Article 4 Direction to include the two wards has now been confirmed by the council and will take effect on August 11, 2025.
How will the new HMO planning controls impact local residents in Streatham?
Property owners will now require planning permission to convert a standard residential property into a small HMO (3 to 6 unrelated tenants). This enables the council to assess the impact of such conversions on local amenities and the community, rather than allowing unfettered permitted development rights.
The controls respond directly to issues raised by residents, including anti-social behaviour, loss of family homes, and negative impacts on the character and cohesion of neighbourhoods. By regulating HMO growth, the council aims to reduce these undesirable impacts.
The non-immediate nature of the Article 4 Direction provides at least a 12-month grace period before enforcement, giving landlords time to adapt and reducing potential legal compensation liability for the council.