
Landlords in Hillingdon will have the chance to comment on a new borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme.
The London borough launches a consultation tomorrow (31st October) into the scheme which the council says will engage with residents, landlords, associations and other stakeholders, with final proposals brought back to cabinet next February. Under new measures, landlords would have to pay £1,401 per property for a five-year licence.
Residents have previously raised concerns about growing problems in the London borough.
The council says that evidence indicates a link between HMOs, poor housing conditions, and anti-social behaviour. There have been almost 4,000 anti-social behaviour complaints linked to HMOs in Hillingdon since 2020.
The authority believes a scheme would help ensure properties were safe, well-managed, and contain basic facilities for tenants, while providing it with greater powers to hold landlords to account and inspect properties to check they meet required standards, rather than only inspecting properties following a tenant complaint. It would also help address ASB and waste management issues. This aims to improve property conditions, with three in ten HMOs in the borough predicted to have serious hazards.
MyLondon reports that there are about 2,537 HMOs in Hillingdon, of which 74% are unlicensed.

Councillor Steve Tuckwell, cabinet member for planning, housing and growth, says: “Hillingdon Council is committed to residents’ safety, wellbeing and quality of life. Unlicensed HMOs can affect communities, and the council wants to understand the full picture before deciding on any future policy.”
The consultation ends on 11th January.
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