HMO crackdown underway in Ealing

Sunday, February 9th, 2025 - Camden Council

Ealing Council are ramping up inspections of houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) across the borough in response to concerns raised by residents.

The inspections aim to make sure that landlords are complying with regulations and providing tenants with safe, well-maintained homes, while minimising disturbances in the surrounding community.

More than 130 HMOs have been inspected since August 2024, with the council intending to inspect at least 100 HMOs each month.

According to the council, there are currently 1,709 large HMOs licensed under the mandatory HMO licensing scheme and 1,386 smaller HMOs licensed under their additional licensing scheme.

Complying with the law

The inspections are intended to make sure landlords and agents are fulfilling their legal duties and providing homes with the right amenities, appropriate room sizes, and the right fire safety measures. During the inspections, key focus areas include fire precautions and means of escape.

Councillor Louise Brett, Ealing’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Safe and Genuinely Affordable Homes joined the council’s HMO inspection team to see this process first-hand. The first property inspected was fully compliant, with the right facilities, spacious rooms, and all required safety certifications.

The second property was less compliant. Officers found several hazards including fire safety issues, inadequate heating, a tenant cooking in a room without proper facilities and unsafe DIY electrical work. The landlord has been required to rapidly address these issues, with enforcement action likely if improvements are not promptly made.

Cabinet Member Councillor Brett said: 

“While HMOs are an important part of the private rental sector, they can jeopardise the safety and wellbeing of residents when poorly managed.

“By ramping up inspections, we are furthering our commitment to ensuring residents feel safe in their homes and communities. Most landlords take this responsibility seriously and do a great job, but we know that some may need further guidance and support. For those who break the rules, we are committed to taking prompt action and ensuring they are accountable to their tenants.”

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

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