Biggin Hill residents are calling for plans to convert family homes in the area into multiple flats to be subject to planning approval.
Developments which create multiple occupancy homes (HMOs) do not require planning permission, since they are covered by permitted development rights, which allow property owners to alter buildings within certain limits.
After plans to build at least ten HMOs locally emerged, residents launched a petition calling for the application of an urgent Article 4 direction, which would allow the council to withdraw specified permitted development rights in the area for the benefit of the community.
Lauren Whiting, 38, who created the petition, said: "As a community we are concerned that we have now multiple HMO’s in small residential streets and, as the process currently stands, it leaves us open to more.