Havering Cracks Down on HMOs: Council Wants New Rules Across the Borough.
Havering Council is proposing tougher planning controls on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the borough, giving the Council greater power to scrutinise new HMOs and tackle concerns over over-concentration, parking, antisocial behaviour and the loss of family homes.
The Council has launched an eight-week public consultation asking residents, businesses, landlords and other interested parties for their views on a proposed borough-wide Article 4 Direction.
If introduced, the change would mean new HMOs across Havering would require planning permission before they could be created.
At present, there are areas of the borough where certain detached houses can be converted into HMOs without planning permission.
The proposed Article 4 Direction would remove this permitted development right and create a consistent set of rules across Havering.
The Council says the change would allow planning officers to properly consider new HMO proposals and assess their potential impact on local communities.
Among the issues that could be considered are:
• The quality of residential development and adequacy of facilities
• The need to protect family-sized homes
• The over-concentration of HMOs in particular areas
• Potential antisocial behaviour and pressure on local services
• Parking and transport impacts
Councillor Keith Prince AM, Leader of Havering Council, said tackling HMOs was already a priority for the administration.
“We know residents care deeply about the quality of housing in their neighbourhoods and the impact that poorly managed or over-concentrated HMOs can have on local communities. That’s why we made tackling HMOs a priority in our First 100 Days Plan.”
He said the proposed changes would give the Council greater control over future HMO development.
“This proposed Article 4 Direction would give the Council greater ability to consider HMO applications through the planning process, helping us to manage growth in a fair, consistent and responsible way.”
Councillor Prince is urging residents to have their say.
“I encourage residents, landlords, businesses and all interested parties to take part in the consultation and share their views.”
Article 4 Directions require a robust evidence base under national planning policy.
Havering Council has prepared an evidence report to support the proposal, which forms part of the consultation documents.
If the Article 4 Direction is confirmed following the consultation, the Council proposes that it would come into effect one year after the Direction is made.
The consultation runs for eight weeks, from Friday 21 August until Friday 16 October 2026.
For residents concerned about the number of HMOs appearing in their neighbourhoods, this consultation represents an opportunity to have their say on how future conversions are controlled.
Havering Council is now asking residents, landlords, businesses and interested parties to submit their views.
Residents have until 16 October to make their views known.
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