London council cracks down on unsafe HMOs

London council cracks down on unsafe HMOs

0:03 AM, 18th December 2024, About a month ago 2

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A London council has launched a rigorous inspection programme to crack down on unlawful and unsafe Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

It says the initiative aims to protect tenants and ensure landlords comply with its selective licensing regulations.

Since August, more than 130 HMOs have been inspected, with plans to inspect at least 100 larger properties every month.

Ealing council says it is focusing on fire safety, means of escape, room sizes and amenities.

‘Landlords take this responsibility seriously’

The council’s deputy leader, Councillor Louise Brett, recently joined an inspection team to witness the process first-hand.

She said: “While HMOs are an important part of the private rented sector, they can jeopardise the safety and wellbeing of residents when poorly managed.

“By ramping up inspections, we are furthering our commitment to ensuring residents feel safe in their homes and communities.”

She added: “Most landlords take this responsibility seriously and do a great job, but we know that some may need further guidance and support.

“For those who break the rules, we are committed to taking prompt action and ensuring they are accountable to their tenants.”

Inspection showed full compliance

The councillor’s initial property inspection showed full compliance, featuring appropriate facilities, ample room sizes and all necessary safety certifications.

In contrast, the second property visit uncovered multiple hazards, such as fire safety concerns, insufficient heating, a tenant cooking in rooms lacking proper amenities and unsafe DIY electrical installations.

The landlord must now resolve these issues and enforcement measures may be implemented if improvements are not achieved within the specified timeframe.

15,000 homes privately rented in Ealing

With around 15,000 homes being privately rented in the borough, the council says it is dedicated to ensuring that tenants can access safe, secure and quality housing.

All landlords and agents managing a privately rented House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in the borough are legally obligated to obtain a property licence from the council.

Recently, the council has acted to enhance planning regulations concerning HMOs and in October, it issued two ‘Article 4’ directions.

These require landlords to seek planning permission if they wish to convert standard family homes into small HMOs.

This regulation was implemented immediately in the Perivale ward and will be applied to the entire borough on 14 November 2025.


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Michael Johnson - Amzac Estates

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15:08 PM, 18th December 2024, About a month ago

So I'm a little confused, are Ealing council now saying that selective licensing hasn't worked? Is that why they are ' cracking down' . Surely the licensed properties were inspected at the beginning of the licensing period?
So if the selective licencing hasn't worked then why repeat the exercise or it has worked and therefore there is no need to repeat the exercise?
It cant be both ways can it?

DPT

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10:02 AM, 19th December 2024, About a month ago

Selective Licensing has nothing to do with HMOs. It's legislated under Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004 for all rentals that are NOT HMOs. I think the article probably means Additional Licensing which is the elective scheme for 3 and 4 bed HMOs

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