Guidelines set out for new HMOs
Published
Thursday 25 June, 2026
Updated
Thursday 25 June, 2026
Swale Borough Council has adopted additional guidance that will be relevant when planning applications for Houses in Multiple Occupation are considered across the Borough.
The council adopted a new supplementary planning document (SPD), setting out clear guidelines for HMOs, at a meeting this week (23 June) following a public consultation.
Along with the existing policies of the Local Plan (Bearing Fruits 2031), the SPD will manage the impact of HMOs on their communities while making sure they provide higher standards of living for occupants.
The key measures the SPD introduced will make sure:
- there are adequate levels of parking available for existing and future residents
- that waste storage facilities are suitably provided and managed
- the size of key rooms in the HMO are acceptable
- that HMOs are provided without being concentrated in a small area
The council’s planning committee also agreed to make an Article 4(1) direction to remove the permitted development rights for the change of use of dwellings to smaller HMOs at a meeting last week, 18 June.
This means anyone wanting to create a new HMO will need to apply for planning permission, regardless of size, with planning applications being expected to meet the new requirements set out in the SPD.
This will give the council far greater control over the quality and quantity of new HMOs within Swale.
HMOs are generally home to three or more people from different households and there are approximately 126 across the borough.
They play an important role in providing cost-effective housing for many people, including young professionals, students, and key workers.
As the number of HMOs increase in Swale it is important that they complement the character of an area and do not cause an unacceptable negative effect on neighbouring properties.
Cllr Tim Gibson, leader of Swale Borough Council, said:
“This new supplementary planning document will allow us to make sure that HMOs provide a higher standard of living space for our residents while mitigating the impacts they may have on our neighbourhoods.
“This includes making sure they aren’t all concentrated in one area, that the room sizes are liveable, there is enough space for waste storage and that adequate parking is provided.
“We have also recently removed HMOs permitted development which means we will have far more control over HMOs of all sizes and can make sure that they are following our important guidelines set out in the new planning document.
“I would like to thank everyone who replied to our consultation, we appreciate and value your feedback and hope that these new measures will bring about low impact, high quality affordable housing in the right places.”
