The Cabinet agreed on Thursday, July 24, 2025, to develop a plan to gather evidence to determine if these enhanced licensing rules are justified. The goal is to gain increased powers to address issues such as:

• Rogue landlords
• Poor quality housing and safety conditions
• Anti-social behaviour (ASB)

Hillingdon has seen a significant rise in private renting, with over a quarter of homes in the borough now in the private sector. Concerns from residents about the increase in HMOs and associated problems led to a Full Council Motion in July 2024 to investigate additional licensing.

Currently, Hillingdon only operates a mandatory licensing scheme for large HMOs (five or more residents from two or more households sharing facilities). The proposed additional scheme would extend licensing to smaller HMOs (three or four residents from two or more households sharing facilities) not already covered.

This would ensure these properties are safe, well-managed, and have basic facilities, while giving the council more power to inspect properties and hold landlords accountable. It would also help tackle ASB and waste management issues often linked to unlicensed properties.

The council is currently conducting a Housing Tenure Survey to gather evidence. If this survey supports the need for additional licensing, a full public consultation is scheduled to launch in autumn 2025.

Cllr Steve Tuckwell, Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Growth, stated that while HMOs offer affordable housing, many negatively impact local communities. He emphasized that additional licensing would provide greater scrutiny, protecting both tenants and neighbourhoods.