Hounslow Council is running a consultation on its proposed extension of its mandatory licensing requirements to include all smaller HMOs which it hopes will help it tackle anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Tom Bruce (pictured), Cabinet Member for Assets, Regeneration and Development at Hounslow Council says, with around a third of residents living in the private rented sector across the borough, HMOs are an important, much-needed source of accommodation.

Difficult to manage

However, he adds, HMOs are amongst the most difficult to manage properties in the sector and can present serious risks of harm to the health and safety of its tenants 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 as well as HMOs that have been poorly subdivided into self-contained flats or studios without the appropriate building regulation approval.

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.”

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

Bruce said: “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.”

The closing date for the consultation is Friday 16 May 2025.

Read more: Council prompts probe into what’s an HMO – and what’s NOT!