0:01 AM, 24th March 2025, About a month ago
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Four more local councils have unveiled plans to regulate Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in their areas.
From Enfield to North Lincolnshire, councils are introducing licensing schemes, planning restrictions and public consultations.
Enfield Council has greenlit a fresh HMO licensing scheme which is set to launch on 1 September and will run for five years.
The initiative will see landlords of properties housing three or four unrelated individuals to secure a licence.
Enfield says that since its inception in September 2020, the scheme has processed more than 1,200 applications, issuing more than 1,100 licences.
It adds that every application is inspected which has found that 70% of these homes required upgrades to meet safety benchmarks, addressing hazards like fire risks, damp and electrical faults.
The council has also issued more than 350 legal notices and prosecuted 13 landlords for breaches.
Cllr Susan Erbil, the cabinet member for licensing, planning and regulatory services, said: “Licensing makes sure landlords are responsible for their properties, and that tenants have secure, well-managed homes.
“This scheme will help us keep up the progress we’ve made in the past five years, protecting tenants and the wider community.”
Meanwhile, Hounslow Council is seeking residents’ opinions on a proposed extension of its additional licensing scheme, targeting smaller HMOs and poorly converted flats.
With a third of its population renting privately, the borough views HMOs as vital yet challenging to oversee.
Since August 2020, Hounslow has enforced 937 warnings, 652 safety certificate demands and 51 civil penalty fines to curb subpar conditions.
Cllr Tom Bruce, the cabinet member for assets, said: “We will continue to work with landlords to improve property standards and management in our HMO accommodation and we will not hesitate to take strong enforcement action against rogue landlords that fail to comply.
“By renewing the additional licensing scheme, the only choice they have is take it or leave it.”
In Hyndburn, Lancashire, two public consultations have been launched to shape council policies on HMOs and children’s care homes.
An Article 4 Direction, effective from 15 March 2026, will require planning permission for small HMOs in nine wards.
Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) will also refine standards for both HMOs and care homes, responding to a surge in applications and community concerns.
Cllr Munsif Dad, the leader of the council, said: “We know it’s important to offer a variety of good quality housing in Hyndburn.
“But we also need to control the growth of HMOs to prevent negative effects on our communities.
“This consultation is a key step in making sure our housing policies meet the needs of our residents.”
North Lincolnshire Council has announced that it has approved Article 4 regulations to mandate full planning scrutiny for all HMOs, regardless of size.
This shift helps to ensure public and councillor oversight.
During the meeting, Labour group leader Cllr Len Foster condemned external developers exploiting desperate tenants, signalling a “zero tolerance” approach to non-compliance.
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