Have your say on landlord licensing and houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)

We are proposing to introduce new licensing schemes for privately rented properties and houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), as well as new planning controls for HMOs, in some parts of Merton.

We are consulting on plans to implement a licensing scheme in 4 wards for private rented properties occupied by a single household or two unrelated individuals.

Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) consisting of 5 or more people from 3 or more households already need to be licensed under separate mandatory HMO schemes. This proposal would introduce a ‘selective licensing scheme’ to extend licensing to all private rented properties (excluding HMOs) in the designated areas.

We are also seeking to introduce an ‘additional licensing scheme’ into 7 wards which will extend the mandatory licensing scheme to all HMOs.

Additionally, we are proposing to introduce further planning controls (an ‘article 4 direction’) for small HMOs in the same 7 wards meaning that planning permission will be required for all HMOs within those wards, whatever their size.

We want to hear from residents, tenants, businesses, private landlords and managing agents who live, work or have a connection to the areas under consideration, including those living in neighbouring boroughs with an interest in the scheme.