Article 4 Houses of Multiple Occupation

The Council consulted on proposals to confirm an Article 4 Direction to require planning permission for the change of use of dwellings to houses in multiple occupation (HMO). HMOs are defined as small shared houses occupied by between three and six unrelated individuals, as their only or main residence, who share basic amenities such as a kitchen or bathroom. New HMOs with more than six unrelated individuals are in any case required to submit a planning application and the Article 4 will not change this. The Article 4s will not also change the need for any license required for the HMO from the Council’s housing team. 

There are currently about 17,000 HMOs in the borough. The Council recognises the importance that they have in meeting housing needs. They provide accommodation that is more affordable for some people. Requiring planning permission will help ensure that HMOs provide a suitable quality of accommodation for occupants, that there is not an over-concentration and address aspects that might impact on anti-social behaviour. It will also allow the Council to ensure a reasonable amount of larger homes for families remain available.

The area the Article 4 applies to is shown on the attached plan (below). It applies to the whole of the London Borough of Brent, excluding the area designated as 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. These are Alperton, Burnt Oak/Colindale, Neasden Stations, Northwick Park, Park Royal, South Kilburn and Wembley. 

All comments are now being considered and will inform the decision as to whether the Article 4 is taken forward. Should it be taken forward, it is intended that the Article 4 will come into effect on 1st November 2022. Further information is available at www.brent.gov.uk/article4s. If you have any queries related to the consultation or wish to discuss the Article 4s further please get in contact with Paul Lewin Team Leader, Planning Policy.