Council Cabinet Backs New Planning Controls on Small HMOs in Tonbridge, Snodland and East Malling

Landlords converting ordinary houses into small shared houses - homes of multiple occupation, or HMOs - in parts of Tonbridge, Snodland and East Malling would need to apply for planning permission first, under plans backed by the borough council's Cabinet.

Currently, converting a house into a small HMO (home to between three and six unrelated tenants) doesn't need planning permission at all - it's "permitted development" under national rules. An Article 4 direction removes that automatic right in specific areas a council identifies, meaning a landlord would need to apply for planning permission first, giving the council - and nearby residents - a say over whether a particular conversion goes ahead.

At a Cabinet meeting on 6 October, councillors endorsed the evidence set out in the council's own HMO Review & Evidence Paper and approved making a "non-immediate" Article 4 direction covering parts of Tonbridge (the Judd, Vauxhall and Cage Green & Angel areas), central Snodland and one East Malling estate. A non-immediate direction gives at least 12 months' notice before it takes effect, reducing the risk of compensation claims from landlords.

Cabinet also agreed to consult residents and landlords in the affected areas before the direction is finalised. Source: Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council