HMO planning restrictions and redevelopment spark housing concerns

Increased planning restrictions on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in London are raising concerns regarding the future supply of affordable, regulated shared housing. Local authorities, including Harrow and Hillingdon, have introduced measures such as Article 4 directions, which require full planning permission for converting family homes into small HMOs.

Data indicates a sharp rise in HMO planning applications across 144 English councils between 2021 and 2025, alongside a significant increase in refusals. Experts warn that tighter regulations may inadvertently push renters toward less visible and potentially unsafe housing options as legal, regulated supply diminishes.

In Kent, redevelopment proposals for a former hotel in Maidstone, rebranded as The Apartell, have sparked local opposition. Developers aim to transform the site into co-living studio apartments for approximately 65 residents. While no official plans exist to use the site for asylum seekers, nearby residents have expressed fears regarding the impact of high-density occupancy on local infrastructure, parking, and community safety.