Policy information sourced from The London Plan 2021
H9 Ensuring the Best Use of Stock
- Boroughs should promote efficient use of existing housing stock to reduce the number of vacant and under-occupied dwellings.
- The Mayor will support boroughs with identified issues of new homes being left empty, sometimes known as ‘buy to leave’ properties, to put in place mechanisms which seek to ensure new homes are occupied.
- Boroughs should take account of the impact on housing stock and local housing need when considering applications for a change of use from housing to short stay holiday rental accommodation to be used for more than 90 days a year.
- Boroughs should take account of the role of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in meeting local and strategic housing needs. Where they are of a reasonable standard they should generally be protected.
For more information please see The London Plan 2021