Landlords will have to apply for planning permission every time they plan to rent a house to multiple occupants, as part of a crackdown on houses being divided into flats.

Waltham Forest council says it has introduced an ‘Article 4 Direction’ to introduce the new requirement, which will be implemented on September 16.

The direction removes ‘permitted development rights’, which allow a landlord to change a property from a single dwelling to multiple occupation without needing planning permission.

Many landlords in the borough have bought large houses and divided them into flats to maximise profits.

Explaining the move, Councillor Clare Coghill, cabinet member for economic growth and high streets, said: “It will give us much greater control over what is happening to the housing stock in the borough.

“It’s really important that we retain valuable single household dwellings and ensure that HMOs meet certain standards. Landlords need to consider things like means of escape in case of fire, amenities such as kitchens, bathrooms and toilets, and ensuring that the property is not overcrowded.”

Landlords of certain types of multi-occupancy homes already have to license the property with the council, but the new policy will extend enforcement powers to prevent homes being divided.