Enfield Council launch public consultation on new additional landlord licensing scheme 

Thursday, July 18th, 2024 - London Borough of Enfield

Enfield Council has launched a public consultation on proposals to renew their property licensing scheme for small, shared Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

The council want to hear the views and feedback of residents, tenants, landlords, business owners and anyone else who has an interest in the private rented sector in Enfield before making their decision.

The council is committed to its vision to have more and better homes for Enfield. To help support this vision, the proposed licensing scheme, if approved, will help to improve housing conditions and standards for HMO tenants.

In 2020, the Council introduced an additional HMO licensing scheme to improve property conditions, safety and management standards. The current scheme applies to shared houses and bedsits that fall outside the remit of the national mandatory HMO licensing scheme. The current scheme ends in August 2025. 

Since additional licensing was introduced, the council say they have seen improvements in the quality and safety of HMOs. They have granted more than 1,000 HMO licences, issued more than 100 civil financial penalties for offences committed by HMO landlords and prosecuted 13 HMO landlords.

Enfield Council say there is still more to do to ensure improved HMO property standards and better protection for private renters. That’s why the Council wants to continue the good work that has been achieved so far and propose a further additional HMO licensing scheme from 1 September 2025. 

Cllr Susan Erbil, Enfield Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulatory Services, said:

“Enfield, as with the rest of London, is in the midst of a housing crisis. With record numbers of people living in temporary accommodation and increasing numbers of families in crisis, there is an extreme shortage of housing within the borough. We know that it’s never been more important for the Council to ensure that HMO properties provide safety and security to all residents.

“Our existing scheme has seen significant action taken to tackle poor standards in the private rented sector, and we know that many landlords provide well managed properties which do not cause issues for tenants or the wider community, for which we are grateful. However, Council officers continue to uncover renters living in unsuitable and often dangerous conditions; some of these are our most vulnerable residents.

“Supporting our most vulnerable residents is a number one priority for the Council. That’s why we want to ensure that as many people as possible have the chance to take part, share their views and comment on our proposals.” 

Enfield Council wants to hear from as many people as possible about what they think about the current scheme, the proposed scheme and how these schemes impact or will affect the communities in Enfield. All views are important.  

You can take part in the consultation by completing an online questionnaire by visiting https://www.enfield.gov.uk/consultations/additional-hmo-licensing

Paper copies can be requested  by emailing HMO-Consultation@enfield.gov.uk, by picking one up at any of the four hub libraries in the  borough, or by calling 020 3821 1761.

The consultation closes on Monday 7 October 2024. 

Our free guide containing more information about property licensing and HMO planning restrictions in the London Borough of Enfield is available here.

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