Merton Council will make an Article 4 Direction permanent across 13 more wards in a bid to clamp down on the growth of HMOs.

The London borough, which includes Wimbledon lawn tennis centre, first introduced the direction in seven wards in November 2022 but found that current partial coverage had led to pressure being displaced into areas without restrictions.

The rule will now cover Abbey, Cannon Hill, Hillside, Lower Morden, Merton Park, Ravensbury, Raynes Park, St Helier, Village, Wandle, West Barnes, Wimbledon Park, and Wimbledon Town and Dundonald wards.

The council says its public consultation into whether people wanted to keep the new HMO rules permanently received 50 responses of which 82% were supportive of keeping them, while a petition with 35 signatures was also supportive.

Rules

A spokesperson tells LandlordZONE: “We introduced these rules on HMOs as part of our ambition to raise standards for private rented tenants and their neighbours, using all the powers at our disposal. The consultation showed strong support for keeping them permanently, and we'll ask cabinet to confirm that on 13th July.”

Neighbouring boroughs Croydon and Sutton have also introduced Article 4 Directions, despite housing shortages.

Meanwhile, Three Rivers District Council has approved a new policy aimed at improving transparency and consultation around potential licences. Immediate neighbours of a property subject to an HMO licence application will now be notified and can provide comments for officers to consider when assessing whether any additional conditions should be made. Ward, county and parish councillors for the area, as well as the council’s anti‑social behaviour team, will also be notified and can submit comments.

Pending

The addresses of properties with HMO licence applications pending will also be published online so that communities are aware of applications in their area.

Councillor Stephen Giles‑Medhurst, leader of Three Rivers District Council, says: “This, along with our work to prepare an Article 4 Direction based on new evidence to remove permitted development rights for HMOs with up to six occupants, which will come into force by this time next year, shows that we are taking residents’ concerns seriously while still allowing properly regulated and managed HMOs.”

Neighbouring Watford Council is also discussing the possibility of curbs on new HMOs at a meeting next week.

‍