The legislation will require them to seek planning permission if they want to pave over gardens to create car parking areas.

Laying down drives is popular with landlords as they can seek higher rents because of the parking space. Landlords will have to obtain permission to lay impermeable drives that allow uncontrolled run-off of rainwater. If a drive is created which allows rainwater to drain into the ground, permission is not required.

The Department for Communities and Local Government has produced guidance on the issue.