Can anyone help with a licensing and planning issue in Greenwich?

Can anyone help with a licensing and planning issue in Greenwich?

8:56 AM, 28th July 2021, About 3 years ago 1

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Put simply, one of our landlords has asked us to take on a 3-bedroom flat in the Royal London Borough of Greenwich. A call to the licensing team confirmed an Additional HMO licence would be required, but before it can be applied for, there has to be planning permission in place for the property to be classed as a C4 (HMO) rather than C3 (single family dwelling)

Greenwich Planning won’t give any advice over the phone. They will provide pre-planning advice, but for a fee of £156. But looking at what the advice might cover, it’s all about building projects – extensions, lofts etc. Nothing about whether the property can be used as a C4. It suggests sending an email. Did that and got a reply that said, “if your enquiry is regarding whether something requires planning permission, please use our Duty Planner and Pre-application advice service”.

I feel caught in a circular loop from which there is no escape unless someone here can suggest a way forward or has experience of Greenwich Planning and can advise how to get the answer I need.

In the meantime, the landlord is collecting rent from an unlicensed HMO – something both he and we are very uncomfortable with!

Many thanks

Jon


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13:53 PM, 28th July 2021, About 3 years ago

What's the problem?

You may be able to see some info re C4 on the Council's website under planning policy, failing which pay the £156 pre planning application fee - its likely to be far cheaper than any fines that might be levied for running an unlicensed HMO.

Better still, pay an independent planning consultant for advice so you do not alert the council (via the planning officer) to an unlicensed HMO.

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