Landlords will now need to apply for planning permission before renting out their homes to multiple people in Greenwich.

The new rule comes in as part of Greenwich Council’s aim to crack down on poor quality and unsafe homes for tenants in the borough and drive up rental standards.

The change, called an Article 4 Direction, removes the permitted development rights for properties to be used as small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) with no more than 6 people.

It means landlords will have to apply for planning permission if they want to convert their homes into HMO’s to rent out on the market.

Greenwich Council’s cabinet approved the change on September 13 and the law will change in 12 months’ time.

Councillor Danny Thorpe, deputy leader of Greenwich Council, said: “The Council is committed to providing safe and secure accommodation for everyone in the borough. This latest decision will help us drive up standards, and drive out rogue landlords.”

Councillor Jackie Smith, cabinet member for community safety and environment, said: “The Royal Borough has taken a number of measures over recent years to tackle the problem of sub-standard and often unsafe accommodation, and this latest move strengthens our hand even more.

“Over-crowded and poorly maintained HMOs are not just devastating for the families that have to live there; it leads to other problems such as overflowing bins and flytipping.”