Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what guidance his Department issues to local authorities on their powers to control the conversion of families homes into houses in multiple occupation.

Planning permission is always required for the material change of use to a large House in Multiple Occupation for more than six people.

Separately a licence is required for a House in Multiple Occupation in which five or more people from two or more households sharing facilities. Local areas can also introduce additional licensing schemes which required Houses in Multiple Occupation with three or more people from two or more households to be licensed. Guidance is provided here.