Rules check rise of Houses in Multiple Occupation

Licensing rules covering small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) have been extended by a Surrey council from Friday.

Planning permission is already needed to convert a property into an HMO for seven or more people.

Spelthorne Borough Council will now require planning permission for HMOs of up to six people.

The council said it was making the change after "concerns raised by residents".

The new rule is being introduced in Staines, Ashford North and Stanwell South, and Stanwell North wards to begin with, before being extended to the whole borough on 13 March 2026.

In June, Woking Borough Council announced a consultation into a similar change to its licensing laws.

Michele Gibson, chair of Spelthorne's planning committee, said: "We have listened carefully to the concerns raised by residents about the rapid increase of HMOs in some of our communities.

"These changes will give us a vital tool to manage and control this type of development, ensuring it happens in a way that protects the character of our neighbourhoods and supports sustainable growth."

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