HMO conversion in Richmond upon Thames
Do you need planning permission to turn a house into an HMO in Richmond upon Thames? It depends on size. The council states that permission is required for HMOs of 7 or more people.[1] By default, a house can become a small HMO for 3 to 6 unrelated sharers without planning permission under Class L, but an Article 4 direction can take that right away.[2] Check that no Article 4 direction covers your street.
Local rules for an HMO conversion in Richmond upon Thames
- The council states that planning permission is required for HMOs occupied by 7 or more people; its HMO licensing page does not mention an Article 4 direction for smaller HMOs.[1]
- A mandatory HMO licence is needed for 5 or more occupiers in 2 or more households, in a house or a self-contained flat but not a purpose-built flat in a block of 3 or more flats.[1]
How Richmond upon Thames handles these applications
Richmond upon Thames granted 6 of the 12 change-of-use applications it decided in the year to 30 June 2026, or 50.0%.[3] With so few decisions, the percentage moves a long way with each one, so it says little on its own.
The council's page counts 85 conservation areas across Richmond upon Thames.[4]
Average prices in August 2026 were £931,524 for a terraced home, £1,208,719 for a semi-detached one and £492,607 for a flat.[5] These figures are context for the purchase price, not a guide to rental yield.
What it costs
An HMO conversion with Plandome costs a fixed £3,000 (VAT_WORDING_TBC); the council charges its application fee separately.
The proposal is free, so you can see what we would prepare before you decide.
Charges and fees that come from the council or from national rules:
- Richmond's 2026 indexed residential CIL is £418.41 per sqm in the higher band and £317.99 per sqm in the lower band; the charging schedule took effect on 1 November 2014.[6]
What the work looks like
Questions people ask
Does Richmond upon Thames usually approve change-of-use applications?
Richmond upon Thames granted 50.0% of the 12 change-of-use decisions in the year to 30 June 2026, according to the government's PS2 table.[3] The figure covers every kind of change of use and says nothing about a particular scheme.
Does a small HMO need a licence in Richmond?
A mandatory licence applies from 5 occupiers in 2 or more households, in a house or a self-contained flat.[1] Anything smaller should be checked with the council.[1]
Is approval of an HMO conversion guaranteed?
No. Approval is a decision for the council, so Plandome makes no promise about the result.
Is this page advice about my own property?
Not on its own. The page is general information last checked on 14 November 2026, and the sources are listed below. Your own address may be affected by things it cannot show.