Landlords in Hillingdon face paying £1,401 for an additional licence when a new scheme launches later this year.

The London borough has approved plans after a consultation found 80% of 1,000 respondents backed its introduction, highlighting concerns about inadequate housing conditions, anti-social behaviour and inconsistent management standards in some HMOs.

The council says its evidence indicates a link between HMOs, poor housing conditions, and anti-social behaviour, with almost 4,000 anti-social behaviour complaints linked to HMOs in Hillingdon since 2020.

The additional licensing scheme will work in conjunction with the borough-wide Article 4 Direction, which was introduced in December.

Poorly

Councillor Steve Tuckwell, cabinet member for planning, housing and growth, says residents are tired of communities being impacted by poorly managed HMOs.

“That is why we are taking co-ordinated and comprehensive action to introduce these new measures,” says Tuckwell.

“Borough-wide licensing gives us the power to hold landlords accountable, protect tenants from poor housing conditions, and safeguard our neighbourhoods from anti-social behaviour. The vast majority of professional landlords who provide decent, much-needed homes have nothing to fear from these measures. However, we will step in where residents are being let down and will continue to use every tool at our disposal to protect our communities.”

Applications for the new scheme will open on 20th May, with full compliance required by 23rd August. Accredited landlords will receive a 10% discount.

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