A London council says new powers will allow it to ‘scrutinise landlords’.

Hillingdon council has agreed a new

boroughwide additional licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

A statement says it will now be able to “scrutinise landlords, improve housing conditions, tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) and protect communities.”

A formal consultation process received more than 1,000 responses, with 80% backing its introduction.   

Respondents highlighted concerns about inadequate housing conditions, ASB and inconsistent management standards in some HMOs. 

The new scheme requires landlords of shared properties with fewer than five residents from two or more households to meet new licensing conditions covering safety, property standards, and effective management. 

Licences will be issued for a five-year period and cost £1,401, with a 10% reduction for accredited landlords.  

The council already operates  a mandatory licensing scheme for large HMOs, which are properties occupied by five or more residents from two or more households sharing bathroom or kitchen facilities. 

Applications for the new scheme will open on May 20 with full compliance required by August 23.

The additional licensing scheme will work in conjunction with an Article 4 Direction which requires planning permission to be obtained before a family home can be converted into an HMO. 

Councillor Steve Tuckwell, responsible for housing, says: “Boroughwide licensing gives us the power to hold landlords accountable, protect tenants from poor housing conditions, and safeguard our neighbourhoods from ASB.  

“Safe living standards are a fundamental right for every resident. 

“The vast majority of professional landlords who provide decent, much-needed homes have nothing to fear from these measures. 

“However, the message should be heard, we will step in where residents are being let down and will continue to use every tool at our disposal to protect our communities.”