Merton Council’s Cabinet has approved a recommendation to permanently ensure that anyone converting a home into a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) will require planning permission. 

The rules came into effect on 24 March 2026 for the 13 wards that didn’t already have them, joining the rest of the borough where similar planning controls have applied since 2022. 

This means the council will be able to check new HMO proposals properly before they go ahead, looking at things like whether homes are well designed, with enough space and facilities for the people living there.  

The decision follows a six-week public consultation, in which 82% of the 50 responses received supported making the rules permanent. A petition with 35 signatures was also submitted in support. 

The decision now goes to full Council on 16 September 2026 for final confirmation, ahead of a statutory deadline of 23 September. 

Cllr Andrew Judge, Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable Development, said: “We introduced these rules as part of our ambition to raise standards for private tenants and their neighbours, using all the powers at our disposal. This means properties will be formally checked to make sure they’re suitable to live in, rather than just assuming standards have been met.” 

The rules apply only to new HMO conversions going forward, existing HMOs are not affected.