Enfield Council is running a consultation on its proposals for a property licensing scheme for small, shared Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the borough.
The proposed licensing scheme would take into account the views and feedback of residents, tenants, landlords, business owners and anyone else who has an interest in the private rented sector in Enfield.
The Council is committed to its vision to have more and better homes for Enfield. To help support this vision, the Council has launched a consultation on proposals that, if approved, would help to improve housing conditions and standards for HMO tenants.
In 2020, the Council introduced a scheme known as additional HMO licensing to improve property conditions, safety and management standards.
The current scheme applies to shared houses that do not fall under the national mandatory HMO licensing scheme and will end in August 2025.
Since the start of the current scheme, the Council has seen improvements in the quality and safety of HMOs.
However, 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, 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.”
The Council wants to hear from as many people as possible about what they think about the current scheme, the proposed scheme for September 2025, 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 here.
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.