Ealing cracks down on homes in multiple occupation

A west London council has become the latest in the city to crack down on the creation of houses of multiple occupation (HMOs).

Landlords in Ealing face stricter rules if they seek to convert a family home into a shared house rented out on a room-by-room basis with different households sharing some facilities.

The council said the tighter regulations would make it better able to manage HMOs and their quality.

Currently, landlords only have to seek planning permission to convert a home into a HMO for more than six people - but the incoming change would make it compulsory, regardless of size.

Local planning laws will remove the automatic right for landlords to turn a normal house into a small HMO - and each council can decide when the changes are implemented in their borough.

HMOs will also have to be licensed, meaning landlords will be subject to legally binding standards for the way they manage their properties and deal with their tenants.

There are around 4,000 licensed HMOs in the borough, but it is estimated there are at least a further 1,500 unlicensed ones.

The council said a recently appointed enforcement team had investigated more than 120 properties.

It said this led to 12 warnings and five referrals to the council's unlicensed properties team.

Peter Mason, leader of Ealing Council, said most landlords were responsible, but a "small minority" of poor practices meant it was "crucial to support better standards".

"We are doing that by inspecting almost 200 properties and issuing 800 new licences each month."

Wandsworth Council brought in a new licensing scheme for HMOs in July, as well as for general standards of rented accommodation in the borough.

A similar policy is being considered in Hillingdon with the policy currently under consultation, and a decision expected by Spring 2026.