Thamesmead house (and garage) plan for 9-person HMO

Plans have been submitted to convert a three-bedroom Thamesmead home including garage into a nine-person House of Multiple Occupation (HMO).

This is the latest example in a trend to convert family homes into HMO with rooms let to individuals or couples. The plan states: “The proposed development has no impact on the adjoining premises and therefore there would be no loss of amenity to the neighbouring buildings and occupiers.”

Would that be the case with parking? In terms of bins and refuse waste, it states:  “The proposal and the no of occupants is not far off from the previous no of
occupants, and so there is no need for extra arrangements and the use is not expected to change significantly.”

Losing family homes to HMOs has been ongoing for some time. While many complain about new builds, the more new homes there are (especially truly affordable homes) the less existing homes will be converted and subdivided.

Click here to view the plan.

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I've lived in south east London most of my life growing up in Greenwich borough and working in the area for many years. The site has contributors on occasion and we cover many different topics. Living and working in the area offers an insight into what is happening locally.

5 thoughts on “Thamesmead house (and garage) plan for 9-person HMO

  • Anyone who thinks this is a reasonable proposition needs to take a walk around Plumstead to see the abject squalor these hell holes create.

    Notions of young professionals sharing or diligent students renting rooms is fantasy. The reality is that local authorities will house problem people there and their problems will become your problems when you have beer cans, spirit bottles and litter everywhere, drug dealers and users loitering, dumped mattresses and appliances flytipped, cars abandoned and the list goes on.

    Reply
  • I completely agree with you. What can we do about it?

    Reply
  • Contact your ward councillors and constituency MP.

    Object to specific proposals on the council planning site.

    Report problem HMO’s online to Greenwich Council’s HMO team.

    Report associated problems on Fix my street and upload photos where possible.

    A proposed landlord licensing scheme is also being considered in a specified area of the borough following consultation last year. This scheme creates the overlap needed for the slum landlords avoiding HMO regulation. As yet the scheme has failed to materialise. Meanwhile the mattresses continue to be dumped and bins continue to overflow.

    Reply
  • Having seen the family home opposite me, originally occupied by a couple, converted to a 6 room HMO, there is always a significant impact. There are lots of cars and a lot of rubbish strewn about. When will London councils realise that landlords convert all their houses to maximise profit? Even one bed flats can be occupied by four adults as the living room is used as a bedroom, probably illegally.
    My street was a nice quiet family area, not anymore. People are being exploited by greedy landlords.

    Reply
    • Sorry to hear that Kazza and its a familiar story. Local Authorities can do more by adequately resourcing the teams that deal with private landlords and HMO’s. This would help ensure that enforcement is taken seriously.

      They also need effective policies to prevent inappropriate HMO’s from being licensed and proliferation of slum rentals occuring.

      I would like to see Local Authorities empowered to direct that inappropriate HMO’s are returned to single dwellings particularly those that didn’t obtain permission in the first place.

      The trouble is whilst councils will publicly talk tough about HMO’s they are glad of the “bedspaces” and probably fill the majority of them.

      Reply

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