Council to explore tightening controls on HMO landlords

The enhanced licensing rules would allow the council to address issues including rogue landlords, poor quality housing, safety conditions and anti-social behaviour (ASB) if the evidence shows this is needed.  

Hillingdon has seen a significant rise in private renting in the last decade, with more than a quarter of homes in the borough in the private sector at the 2021 census, a 7.8 per cent increase between 2011 and 2021, which was the second largest increase in London.  

Following concerns raised by residents about the rise in HMOs and issues associated with them, a Full Council Motion was passed in July 2024 which committed to investigating if the implementation of additional licensing would be justified.  

Currently, the council operates a mandatory licensing scheme for large HMOs, which are properties that are occupied by five or more residents from two or more households sharing bathroom or kitchen facilities.   

The additional HMO licensing scheme could apply to small HMOs that are occupied by three or four residents from two or more households that share a kitchen or bathroom and not already covered by the existing scheme. 

Additional HMO licensing would help to ensure properties were safe, well-managed, and contain basic facilities for tenants, while providing the council with greater powers to hold landlords to account and inspect properties to check they meet the required standards. It would also help address ASB and waste management issues that can arise from unlicensed properties.  

The council is currently undertaking a Housing Tenure Survey, a detailed data analysis, to assess whether these further regulations are justified under the Housing Act 2004. If the evidence of the survey supports introducing additional licensing, a full public consultation will be required and is scheduled to launch in autumn, if needed.  

Cllr Steve Tuckwell, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Growth said: "For many residents in our borough HMOs are an affordable and flexible housing option.  

"However, it is clear that many HMOs are having a detrimental impact on the local community and additional licensing measures would provide us with greater scrutiny of landlords, protecting both the tenants and local neighbourhoods. 

"We're determined to keep residents safe from harm and ensure everyone can live in safe, good quality homes." 

The council's Cabinet will be provided with an update on the finding of the consultation and recommendations in February 2026.  

If you are worried about poor health and safety standards or overcrowding in a HMO, or believe a property is occupied by five or more unrelated people and it doesn't have a licence, report it by emailing, hmolicensing@hillingdon.gov.uk.