Hounslow Council Plans Crackdown on HMO Blight
Responding to residents' complaints about noise and anti-social behaviour
Cllr Tom Bruce - 'HMOs are having detrimental impact on the local community'
Hounslow Council is changing its policy on houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) after a string of complaints from residents nearby this sort of property.
Landlords – who want to convert family homes into HMOs for three to six tenants – will now have to obtain planning permission from the Council although these changes will not come into effect for a year.
Dubbed the ‘Article 4 Direction’, this new measure aims to address the increasing concerns among residents about the negative impact of HMOs in local communities. Many community groups and residents’ association have highlighted how HMOs in their area have been blighted by an increased level of anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and noise.
Councillor Tom Bruce, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development, said, “I would like to stress that for many residents in our borough HMOs is an affordable housing option, which is low-cost and flexible.
“However, is it clear that many HMOs are having detrimental impact on the local community and this new measure will ensure thorough oversight – protecting both the tenants in HMOs and the communities that surround them.
“Every resident in the borough deserves to live in a safe and pleasant community and this new measure will contribute to making this a reality for countless residents.”
The HMO Licensing Policy, which was approved at Cabinet in October 2021, includes more thorough checks on landlords who have HMOs.
Due to essential legal requirements, the new measures will come into effect in a year’s time. A statutory consultation period will take place from Friday 15 July to 9 September.
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July 22, 2022