HMO – Better Homes Enfield

London needs rent controls

The Government says it wants to tackle the cost of living, reduce homelessness, make housing affordable and bring welfare spending under control. Yet it has ruled out one of the few policies capable of helping to achieve all these aims. On 20 July, shortly after becoming Prime Minister, Andy Burnham confirmed that rent freezes wereContinue reading “London needs rent controls”

Enfield’s Local Plan must now include proper HMO safeguards

Terraced houses with small front gardens, bins and cars parked along the street.

The latest update from the Enfield Local Plan examination includes welcome news on HMOs. In a recent letter to Enfield Council, the Planning Inspector has said that Enfield’s new Local Plan must include a specific policy for Houses in Multiple Occupation, commonly known as HMOs. This is good news, and something Better Homes Enfield hasContinue reading “Enfield’s Local Plan must now include proper HMO safeguards”

After 15 years of Labour control, Enfield needs change

Enfield Civic Centre building and sign with the words “Twenty reasons why Enfield needs new leadership” overlaid on the image.

For 15 years, Enfield Council has made big promises on housing, regeneration, jobs and parks. But too often the results have gone the other way. Homes have not been built at the scale promised. Social rent homes have been lost. Homelessness is among the worst in the country. Local job opportunities have been lost, whileContinue reading “After 15 years of Labour control, Enfield needs change”

Enfield Labour’s manifesto makes promises about HMOs it cannot realistically keep

Houses in Multiple Occupation, or HMOs, are homes where several unrelated people live and share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom. They provide cheaper housing and play an important role in Enfield’s housing mix. But they can also bring problems: poor living conditions for tenants, pressure on residential streets, and the steady loss ofContinue reading “Enfield Labour’s manifesto makes promises about HMOs it cannot realistically keep”

Risks of Removing HMO Policies in Enfield’s New Local Plan

Enfield’s proposed new Local Plan has sparked considerable debate and is currently being examined by the Government’s Planning Inspector. One concern we have about the Plan, is the absence of policies for Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs). HMOs are houses or flats that are shared by 3+ tenants who form two or more households andContinue reading “Risks of Removing HMO Policies in Enfield’s New Local Plan”

Planning policies designed to protect the health and safety of vulnerable renters in Enfield are not being enforced.

Research shows that fewer than 1 in 10 HMOs in Enfield have planning permission and there is an 85% decline in planning enforcement. Enfield Council is now one of the worst performing boroughs in London for issuing Planning Contravention and Enforcement Notices. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS What is an HMO? A house in multiple occupancy (HMO)Continue reading “Planning policies designed to protect the health and safety of vulnerable renters in Enfield are not being enforced.”