Harrow’s Conservative Council has now introduced new restrictions on the conversion of family homes into Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs).

In the June meeting of the Council’s Cabinet, Conservative Councillors agreed to implement new planning restrictions on applications to convert family houses into HMOs.

As a result of the new planning restrictions, all HMO applications now must go through the planning process and require full planning permission. This means that the Council will have a greater ability to scrutinise the suitability of prospective HMOs in a road and control the density of HMOs in neighbourhoods.

Under the old rules, HMOs for 6 or less people (smaller HMOs) did not require planning permission. But Conservative Councillors have introduced an Article 4 Direction which now means smaller HMOs require planning permission from now on.

Earlier this year, Conservative Councillors implemented a new Local Plan (the policies which guides development across Harrow) which, for the first time, sets down clear rules on HMOs and stipulates the many instances where they are inappropriate. The adoption of our new Local Plan was a vital prerequisite to enable the Council to refuse planning applications for unsuitable HMOS and win any subsequent appeals.

Harrow Conservatives want to ensure that our borough has high quality housing for local people. Many residents have been worried about the number of HMOs in Harrow and the associated anti-social behaviour they can cause.

Conservatives have listened to local people which is why we have brought in these new restrictions on HMOs.