Hounslow council is looking for feedback from residents on the proposed scheme, which will help tackle anti-social behaviour often associated with HMOs. 

With around a third of residents living in the private rented sector across the borough, HMOs are an important, much-needed source of accommodation. However, HMOs are found to be amongst the most difficult to manage properties in the sector and can present serious risks of harm to the health and safety of its tenant(s) and persistent anti-social behaviour issues. 

The proposed new scheme will extend mandatory licensing requirements to include all smaller HMOs where facilities are shared and are occupied by 3 or 4 persons. This will include Flats in Multiple Occupation in large purpose-built blocks. These are not included in the current scheme. The scheme will also include all HMOs that have been poorly subdivided into self-contained flats or studios without the appropriate building regulation approval.

The proposed scheme, which aims to improve the management and standards of HMOs in the borough, will continue to cover the whole of the borough and will last five years.

Since the introduction of additional HMO licensing in August 2020, the council has issued formal and informal enforcement interventions:

• 937 Warnings of formal enforcement action
• 652 Notices requesting gas and electrical safety certificates to be provided
• 135 Notices to remediate housing defects or prohibit hazardous accommodation
• 51 Civil Penalty Fines

A spokesperson for the council says: “We are committed to ensuring all residents are provided with good quality, safe, and secure accommodation. 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. 

“This regulation is also so important in helping to reduce anti-social behaviour and the social issues that stem from overcrowding and cramped living conditions. This affects everyone in our communities, so please use this opportunity to have your say.”

If, after the consultation, a new HMO licensing scheme is approved it will commence in November 2025 when the current scheme expires.