North East leads for the highest HMO yields
1 year ago
Croydon cracks down on illegal HMOs
12:06 AM, 3rd February 2025, 1 year ago
6
Croydon Council has escalated its efforts against unauthorised housing developments, particularly Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In recent weeks, officers from planning enforcement and HMO teams inspected 21 properties suspected of being unauthorised HMOs.
They visited properties in Thornton Heath, Norbury, New Addington, Central Croydon, Addiscombe and Purley.
The council says that ‘multiple violations’ of planning regulations and the Housing Act (2004) were discovered.
It is now pursuing action against those responsible.
‘Landlords operating unauthorised HMOs’
Jason Perry, the executive mayor of Croydon, said: “Unauthorised HMOs and developments can be a blight on our neighbourhoods.
“Landlords operating unauthorised HMOs are warned that these should not operate in Croydon without planning consent.
“It is my priority to protect the unique character of our neighbourhoods, and we will take enforcement action where breaches are made.”
He added: “We have made significant progress in investigating breaches and will persevere to resolve all cases.”
He also promised to resolve resident concerns when they are reported.
HMOs can provide valuable housing
While acknowledging that well-managed HMOs can provide valuable housing, Croydon implemented stricter planning controls in January 2020 through an Article 4 direction.
Mr Perry has prioritised planning enforcement, with the Local Plan Review introducing policies to ensure new construction complements Croydon’s distinct character.
The council says it has reduced its backlog of open enforcement cases, from 2,089 in October 2021 to 711 in January 2025, completing 2,485 investigations during that time.
It adds that progress has been achieved through both negotiation and, where necessary, formal notices and legal proceedings.
Tags:
Croydon, Development, HMO, Housing, landlord, London, planning enforcement, Property, UK, unauthorised
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Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1591
10:03 AM, 3rd February 2025, About 1 year ago
HMOs are often a blight on neighbourhoods.
However, they can provide accommodation for more people.
With 1 in 12 of people living in London suspected of having no right to rent, it would be interesting to know more details of the owners and occupants.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3548 - Articles: 5
10:53 AM, 3rd February 2025, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 03/02/2025 – 10:03the chances are the council wont bother looking at anything more than the bare minimum in regard to the property breaches to secure as much £££’s from enforcement as they can. They wont want to spend more time/effort/cost on something they cannot get any money back on.
As far as I am aware if anyone anyone who does not have a right to rent – it is an immigration breach and so its the HO that has the power to prosecute the LL, not the local council. I doubt if the Council would even bother reporting this anyway even if they did know.
If the tenants were illegals then they would have probably fled sharpish. The Council breathing a sign of relief too….because otherwise they may have a duty to house them. Ergo better they do not ask and explore this….
Of course no ambo chasing LA solicitors either would be interested as if illegal no right to this assistance, so no rent repayment orders etc possible….
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1591
12:02 PM, 3rd February 2025, About 1 year ago
Indeed. Croydon council have been virtually bankrupt a number of times. I really feel for the residents.
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2204 - Articles: 2
2:22 PM, 3rd February 2025, About 1 year ago
Surely in the middle of a housing crisis, it is important to do everything possible to reduce the supply. Eliminating rooms because of their size, for evidently it is better to sleep on the open rather than in an undersized room. Eliminating an HMO sleeping six and converting it to a house sleeping a single family obviously makes a lot of sense. Making it impossible to let a property for a fixed term whilst the owner is elsewhere, leaving a much-needed empty property.
Surely anyone with a politicians brain can see the unbridled logic of these policies?
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1452 - Articles: 1
1:19 AM, 4th February 2025, About 1 year ago
Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 03/02/2025 – 12:02
As they are never allowed to implement a landlords licensing scheme ever again, Treasury’s audit couldn’t trace where the license fees went, they will try and raise money from fines and hmo planning applications and hmo licenses.
Member Since June 2019 - Comments: 783
11:31 AM, 4th February 2025, About 1 year ago
So what happens to the tenants? They only live in these places because they cannot afford better, so they will end up in significantly worse accommodation provided by the council perhaps loosing school or work places.
But great more landlords publicity hanged for the crime of not having a piece of paper.