With around a third of Hounslow residents living in privately rented homes, HMOs play a crucial role in meeting housing demand. However, they are often among the most challenging properties to manage, with concerns around health and safety, overcrowding, and anti-social behaviour.
Hounslow Council is considering tighter regulations for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) as it looks to renew its additional licensing scheme. The proposed changes, which aim to improve housing standards and tackle anti-social behaviour, are now open for public consultation.
With around a third of Hounslow residents living in privately rented homes, HMOs play a crucial role in meeting housing demand. However, they are often among the most challenging properties to manage, with concerns around health and safety, overcrowding, and anti-social behaviour. In response, the Council is proposing to extend licensing requirements to cover more HMOs across the borough.
“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.”
Tom Bruce, Cabinet Member
Under the new scheme, licensing rules would apply to all smaller HMOs where facilities are shared between three or four tenants. This would include Flats in Multiple Occupation within large purpose-built blocks, which are not covered under the existing scheme. Additionally, properties that have been poorly converted into self-contained flats or studios without proper building regulation approval would also be included. If implemented, the new licensing scheme would cover the entire borough and remain in place for five years.
Since the introduction of additional HMO licensing in August 2020, the Council has taken numerous enforcement actions to improve housing conditions. These measures have included issuing 937 warnings of formal enforcement action, serving 652 notices requesting gas and electrical safety certificates, and taking action in 135 cases to address unsafe housing conditions. Furthermore, 51 civil penalties have been issued to landlords who failed to meet required standards.
Councillor Tom Bruce, Cabinet Member for Assets, Regeneration and Development at Hounslow Council, stressed the importance of maintaining safe and well-managed accommodation for all residents. He emphasised the Council’s commitment to working with landlords to improve housing conditions while taking strong action against those who fail to comply. “We are committed to ensuring all residents are provided with good quality, safe, and secure accommodation,” he 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 to take it or leave it.”
He also highlighted the role of licensing in addressing wider social issues. “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.”
Following the consultation period, if a new licensing scheme is deemed the best course of action, it will need to be approved by the Council’s Cabinet. If approved, the scheme is expected to take effect in November 2025, replacing the current one upon its expiry.
Residents are encouraged to provide feedback on the proposals through the Council’s consultation platform at talk.hounslow.gov.uk/hmo-additional-licensing-renewal. Those who require a paper copy can request one via email at housing.enforcement@hounslow.gov.uk. The consultation will remain open until Friday, 16 May 2025.
