News
New Brent HMO planning restrictions come into force on 1 November 2022
The London Borough of Brent is introducing new planning restrictions that will remove permitted development rights to convert a single dwelling house (use class C3) into a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) with 3 to 6 occupants (use class C4).
Background to the decision
On 21 October 2019, Brent Council made a non-immediate House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Article 4 Direction to remove permitted development rights to convert a property from a single dwelling house (use class C3) to an HMO with 3 to 6 occupants (use class C4).
The planning restrictions were intended to apply borough wide except for the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation Area.
Brent Council consulted on the proposal between 24 October and 5 December 2019. Following the consultation, the council decided not to confirm the Article 4 Direction (read here).
The Article 4 Direction was formally revoked at a Cabinet meeting on 11 October 2021 after councillors decided to implement HMO planning restrictions across a smaller area.
Amended proposals published
On 14 October 2021, Brent Council made another non-immediate HMO Article 4 Direction to remove permitted development rights to convert a property from a single dwelling house (use class C3) to an HMO with 3 to 6 occupants (use class C4).
The new Article 4 Direction applies borough wide except for:
- the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation Area.
- the draft Local Plan’s site allocations within the Church End Growth Area; and
- all parts of the other seven Growth Areas.
Brent Council consulted on the proposal between 21 October and 1 December 2021. The Article 4 Direction was confirmed on 3 February 2022 and comes into force on 1 November 2022.
From 1 November 2022, planning permission will be required to convert a single dwelling house into an HMO with 3 to 6 occupants. Planning permission is already required for HMOs occupied by 7 or more people, or to sub-divide properties into smaller self-contained units of accommodation.
The changes to planning rules are not retrospective and so any HMO occupied by 3 to 6 people before the Article 4 Direction comes into force is not affected.
Our free guide containing more information about property licensing and HMO planning restrictions in the London Borough of Brent is available here.
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