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Ealing HMO planning restrictions are now in force

Wednesday, December 11th, 2024 - London Borough of Ealing

As previously reported, on 4 September 2024 Ealing Council’s Planning Committee approved in principle two HMO Article 4 Directions covering most of the borough (read here).

As that time, it was unknown when the new planning restrictions would come into force and enquiries to Ealing Council’s press office went unanswered. London Property Licensing has since discovered the Directions were made on 30 October 2024.

Immediate HMO Article 4 Direction 

Ealing Council has taken immediate action to restrict new HMO developments in the Perivale ward. 

From 30 October 2024, planning permission is required to convert a single family dwelling (use class C3) to a small HMO occupied by 3 to 6 occupants (use class C4). The Direction must be confirmed within six months to remain in force.

This will be of particular concern to anyone currently converting a property to HMO use in Perivale ward. It means developments will potentially be stalled whilst developers seek planning permission for what was permitted development when the builders started work on site. If planning permission is refused, the council may be required to pay compensation.

Ealing Council have said this course of action reflects concerns raised by residents in the Medway Village area of Perivale, which has seen growth in the number of HMOs in recent years.

Non-immediate HMO Article 4 Direction

Ealing Council also made a non-immediate HMO Article 4 Direction on 30 October 2024 which applies to most of the borough. We understand the only excluded areas are Perivale ward and the part of Ealing that fall within the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) area.

Subject to confirmation following consultation, these planning restrictions are likely to start a year after the Direction was made.

Public consultation has been and gone

According to a public notice published on the council’s website (read here), the council consulted on these HMO planning restrictions from 6 November to 6 December 2024. We could find no mention of this consultation on the consultation portal on the council’s website. It is unclear how many people were aware of the consultation before it ended.

Our free guide containing more information about property licensing and HMO planning restriction in Ealing is available here. It contains copies of the two HMO Article 4 Directions that have been made.

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