A big London suburban council wants landlords’ views on a new additional licensing scheme that aims to limit the spread of HMOs and clamp down on anti-social behaviour.
Sutton has already introduced an Article 4 Direction earlier this year, after seeing an increase in the number of HMOs.
A council report says wards with a higher number of HMOs tend to have more reported ASB incidents and properties with hazards; there were 1,693 ASB incidents linked to HMOs between 2019 and 2024.
There are estimated to be 942 HMOs in the borough, with 251 likely to have at least one serious housing hazard (26% of HMOs). Under the mandatory scheme, 171 licences have been issued.
Councillor Jake Short (pictured), chair of the housing, economy & business committee, says: “The vast majority of private landlords offer good-quality homes, but we have been taking steps over the past few years to ensure HMOs in the borough meet a good standard.
“Introducing a licensing scheme for all HMOs would make a real difference to those tenants. It will also protect the borough’s existing family-sized accommodation from being converted into smaller flats, as well as reducing anti-social behaviour, environmental crimes and parking pressures.”
Scheme fees have yet to be worked out, but landlords can take part in the consultation which runs until 8th September. If approved, additional licensing would start next spring.
A recent house condition survey concluded that there wasn’t evidence to propose introducing selective licensing in Sutton due to the lack of a positive correlation between the number of properties in the PRS and high levels of ASB or other criteria needed to designate the scheme.
Pic credit: Google Streetview
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