Lewisham Council is withdrawing permitted development rights for most homes in multiple occupation (HMOs) – meaning that landlords will need planning permission to convert homes into small HMOs in the borough.
Article 4 (1) direction on small HMOs comes into force in September 2023 and states that for planning permission to be granted, applicants will need to demonstrate: that the accommodation is of high standard, that the conversion does not harm the character of the area and that there is a specific need for in the area for a HMO.
A small HMO is where between three and six unrelated people share basic amenities in the same property, such as a kitchen or bathroom.
Councillor Brenda Dacres, Cabinet Member for Housing Development and Planning, said: “These proposals would not prevent new HMOs in the borough, but would ensure their creation is properly managed and regulated. Combined with the introduction of our new HMO licensing scheme, this would help improve standards in the private rented sector and ensure an appropriate mix of accommodation for all residents.
A similar scheme that covers the south-eastern side of the borough, comprising the wards of Bellingham, Whitefoot, Grove Park and Downham, has been in effect since 2020.
This new direction will widen the regulation to the reminder of the borough.
The council website states that this measure will allow it to better manage the impact, standard and concentration of small HMOs in Lewisham.
But housing activist and former Lewisham Labour councillor for Forest Hill, Leo Gibbons, has spoken against the new policy, fearing it will impact the availability of shared households in the area.
Gibbons is co-director of volunteer-run organisation, PricedOut, which campaigns in response to the housing crisis and believes the government should be creating 300,000 homes a year in areas of high demand, to tackle skyrocketing rental prices.
“HMOs are essentially the only reason people on my income can live in Lewisham, which is where I grew up. Many singles or couples live like this in London, it’s just really, really, common.”
“But, because we have such restrictions, we haven’t built enough houses and supply needs to catch up the demand. The only way that we can afford to live in these areas, where the jobs are in London, is to live in these shared households,” he said.
The council argues that tighter regulation of HMOs and their landlords could help provide better standards for tenants.
The extension of regulations on new HMOs to the reminder of the borough and the withdrawal of permitted development rights for HMO conversions are both in a representation period until November 11, which means the council is asking for residents’ opinions on the matter.
Lewisham Council referred ELL to a statement it issued in July, where Cabinet Member for Housing, Development and Planning, Brenda Dacres said: “It’s really important that our planning system works for Lewisham and reflects the needs of the borough. Protecting local high streets and controlling the growth of HMOs are both key priorities for local residents – that’s why we’re taking action to address these issues.
“We also want to ensure that commercial space delivered through new developments is used for its intended purpose and helps support the local economy, rather than being turned into additional residential units.”
