A council in west London has become the latest in the area to impose restrictions on the establishment of houses of multiple occupation (HMOs).
Landlords in Ealing will encounter more stringent rules if they aim to convert a residential property into a shared living arrangement rented out by individual rooms to various households sharing some communal spaces.
The council stated that these enhanced regulations would better enable them to oversee HMOs and ensure their quality.
At present, landlords need to obtain planning permission only when converting a property into an HMO accommodating over six residents. However, the forthcoming changes will require permission for all conversions, regardless of the number of occupants.
Local planning regulations will eliminate the automatic right for landlords to change a standard house into a small HMO, with each council having the authority to determine the implementation timeline for these changes within their jurisdiction.
Additionally, all HMOs will be required to obtain licenses, which will hold landlords to legally enforceable standards governing property management and tenant engagement.
Currently, there are approximately 4,000 licensed HMOs in the borough, but estimates suggest there are at least 1,500 more that lack proper licensing.
The council mentioned that a newly established enforcement team has inspected over 120 properties, resulting in 12 warnings and five referrals to the council’s unlicensed properties division.
Peter Mason, the leader of Ealing Council, noted that while the majority of landlords operate responsibly, a “small minority” engage in inadequate practices, highlighting the importance of promoting higher standards.
“We are addressing this by inspecting nearly 200 properties and issuing around 800 new licenses monthly.”
In July, Wandsworth Council implemented a new licensing scheme for HMOs, along with standards for rented accommodations throughout the borough.
A similar initiative is under consideration in Hillingdon, with the policy currently undergoing consultation, and a decision anticipated by Spring 2026.
