Council claims 70% of licensed HMOs “needed help”

Enfield Council is introducing a new HMO licensing scheme for the next five years, requiring landlords of shared housing (where three or four people from different households live together) to obtain a licence. The aim is to improve the quality and management of shared homes, ensuring safer and better living conditions for tenants.

The scheme builds on an earlier version introduced in 2020, during which the council received 1,200 licence applications and granted over 1,100. Inspections revealed that 70% of properties needed improvements in safety and housing standards, addressing issues like fire safety, damp, and overcrowding. Enfield Council has issued more than 350 legal notices and taken action against 13 landlords for violations, including fines for poor property management.

The council emphasizes that the renewed licensing scheme will hold landlords accountable and continue improving housing standards for tenants and the community.