Lambeth Council is consulting on new planning controls for HMOs in Streatham after concerns were raised by residents.

Houses of Multiple Occupancy are properties shared by five or more people, consisting of two or more households.

Lambeth Council wants greater control over the creation of further HMOs in two of its wards.

At present, a change of use from a standard residential property to a ‘small HMO’ does not need planning permission.

It is considered ‘permitted development’ under national planning legislation.

This means the council currently has no powers to prevent conversions of standard residential properties into small HMOs.