Ealing Council is considering limiting the number of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the North Hanwell and Elthorne Heights neighbourhoods following concerns raised by residents.
At a council meeting on Tuesday 15 July 2025, Manos Kanellos presented a petition signed by 125 residents requesting the council stop licensing family homes into HMOs in the North Hanwell and Elthorne Heights neighbourhood. The petition also calls for investigations into existing conversions, enforcement actions, and a limit of one HMO per street. The Council of Ealing Council met on 15 July 2025 where Manos Kanellos was scheduled to present the petition1.
The petition highlights several concerns:
- Child safety on school routes due to increased traffic and antisocial behaviour.
- A surge in unregulated HMO developments before the implementation of an 'Article 4 Direction' in November 2025, which would require planning permission for HMO conversions.
- Over-concentration of HMOs, conflicting with planning guidance.
- Increased noise, fly-tipping, parking issues, and drug-related problems. Residents state they are
already seeing a rise in noise, fly-tipping, parking issues, drug use and drug dealing.
- Undermining community cohesion and straining local services.
The petition asks the council to:
- Pause all licenses for new HMO conversions in the area.
- Investigate existing conversions for compliance and community impact.
- Take enforcement action where appropriate.
- Uphold the spirit of the 'Article 4 Direction'.
- Set a limit of one HMO per street. The meeting information does not define 'a street' for the purpose of limiting HMOs.
An Article 4 Direction removes permitted development rights, requiring planning permission for converting family homes into HMOs.
The council is expected to consider the petition and its requests in upcoming planning and housing policy discussions. The meeting information does not specify when a decision regarding the petition will be made.
