Bexley Council is putting plans in place to make big changes to Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the borough.

Only HMOs with three or more floors, containing five or more people in two or more households and with shared facilities need a licence – Bexley has 22 of these properties.

The licensing options planned for Bexley would take the form of a general licensing scheme for all smaller HMOs.

Steps are also being taken to adopt local planning powers to put in place an “Article 4 Direction” in Bexley.

It means that in the future, all HMOs would need planning application approval – and the plans could come into action as early as next year.

UKIP Councillor Chris Beazley recently urged Bexley Council to apply Article 4 after an increase of unlicensed HMOs “due to the effect of uncontrolled immigration”.

Bexley Council leader Teresa O’Neill said: “We understand residents have some concerns around HMOs.

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“It is unfortunate that on occasions these properties are used simply to maximise profits by a small minority of private landlords.

“We must recognise however, there is also a need for well managed HMOs in the borough.”

She added: “Many are used by students or young professionals, some are there to ease the enormous housing pressure that we are currently under.

“But, we must have some better local regulations in place.”