Brent Council launch consultation on plans to renew additional HMO licensing scheme

Thursday, March 13th, 2025 - Brent Council

Brent residents are being asked to have their say on plans to improve living conditions in private rented homes. 

An online survey which started on 10 March 2025 invites tenants, landlords, and anyone affected to give their views on Brent Council’s proposals to improve living standards for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

These new plans are an extension of a previous programme that ran for five years and ended in January 2025. According to the council, over 2,500 HMOs were licensed under the previous scheme which helped improve the quality of private rented homes in the borough.

HMO licensing makes sure that houses are safe, well-managed, and provide basic facilities for tenants. Council officers inspect licensed properties to ensure they meet the required standards.

A mandatory licence is needed for HMOs with five or more people from two or more households. Additional licensing covers other types of HMOs, typically the smaller with three or more people from two or more different households, like those living in bedsits. 

Councillor Fleur Donnelly-Jackson, Brent’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Residents’ Services, said: 

“Over the past 20 years, the number of privately rented homes in Brent has grown, and now makes up almost half of all homes in the borough. We want to make sure these homes are safe and good quality for tenants. 

“While we have seen significant improvements, we believe that another additional HMO licensing scheme is necessary to maintain and improve the management of HMOs in Brent. We want to encourage residents to give their opinions on these new proposals for HMOs.” 

The HMO additional licensing consultation will run for eleven weeks, ending on 26 May 2025. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. 

Anyone can take part in the consultation by completing the online questionnaire on the council’s website.

Alternatively, paper copies of the consultation questionnaire can be obtained by calling 020 8937 2384/5 or emailing prslicensing@brent.gov.uk.

Our free guide containing more information about property licensing and HMO planning restrictions in Brent is available here.

For all the latest news and events, you can sign up for the free London Property Licensing newsletter here.