Policy information sourced from the Waltham Forest Local Plan

20 Housing in Multiple Occupation and Conversions

A. The conversion of a larger home(s) to smaller self-contained homes (C3), Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (C4) and Buildings in Multiple Residential Occupation (Sui Generis) will not be allowed where:

  1. The house has a gross original internal floor space of less than 124sqm; or
  2. The proposal will result in the over concentration of HMO conversions in one street or in the wider local area.

Conversions

B. The conversion of homes with a gross original internal floorspace of more than 124sqm to smaller self-contained homes will only be permitted where the proposed development:

  1. Provides at least one larger family sized home of 74sqm (3 bed plus);
  2. Meets the minimum space standards in Table 14.2 Table 14.2 ‘Minimum internal space standards for new dwellings’; London Borough of Waltham Forest Local Plan 70 Local Plan (LP1) - Adoption Version Decent Homes for Ever yone
  3. Meets high-quality design standards (Policy 53 ‘Delivering High Quality Design’ and Policy 57 ‘Amenity’);
  4. Does not propose additional on-site parking beyond existing provision unless justified by a Transport Assessment in line with Policy 66 ‘Managing Vehicle Traffic’;
  5. Makes provision for adequate cycle parking on-site (Policy 61 ‘Active Travel’);
  6. Is close to public transport (PTAL 3 and above);
  7. Provides good refuse and storage facilities (Policy 57 ‘Amenity’ and Policy 93 ‘Waste Management’); and
  8. Makes appropriate provision for outdoor or amenity space (Policy 56 ‘Residential Space Standards’).

Houses in Multiple Occupation

C. The conversion of homes that have a gross original internal floorspace of more than 124 sqm into HMOs will only be permitted where the proposed development:

  1. Meets the minimum space standards for room sizes in Tables 8.5 and 8.6;
  2. Does not propose additional on-site parking beyond existing provision unless justified by a Transport Assessment in line with Policy 66 ‘Managing Vehicle Traffic’;
  3. Makes adequate provision for on-site cycle parking (see Policy 61 ‘Active Travel’);
  4. Is close to public transport (PTAL 3 and above);
  5. Provides suitable refuse and storage facilities (see Policy 57 ‘Amenity’ and Policy 93 ‘Waste Management’);
  6. Makes appropriate provision for outdoor or amenity space (see Policy 56 ‘Residential Space Standards’).
Table 8.5 Minimum bedroom sizes in HMO and Buildings in Multiple Occupation
Number of occupiersRoom for sleeping (Kitchen facilities in a separate room)Room for sleeping (Kitchen facilities within the room)Bedrooms in shared houses with communal living room
111 sqm16 sqm10 sqm
218 sqm22 sqm16 sqm
Table 8.6 Minimum kitchen and living room sizes in HMOs and Buildings in Multiple Occupation
Number of sharersKitchenCombined Living Room/KitchenLiving room (dining facilities in another room)
Up to 412 sqm18.5 sqm15 sqm
513 sqm20.5 sqm16 sqm
614 sqm22.5 sqm17 sqm
7 or more15 sqm + 1 sqm for
each additional
occupier		22.5 sqm + 2 sqm
for each additional
occupier		18 sqm + 1 sqm for
each additional
occupier

*Calculations exclude floorspace for bathrooms/shower rooms.

For more information please see the Waltham Forest Local Plan