Havering Council is intensifying its scrutiny of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the borough, with a particular focus on the distinctions between licensed and unlicensed properties.

The Place Overview & Scrutiny Sub Committee convened on Tuesday, 04 November 2025, to delve into the current HMO landscape in Havering. The committee sought a comprehensive understanding of the situation, encompassing both licensed and unlicensed HMOs. Members requested an update on HMOs to understand the position with HMOs picture as a whole in Havering, both licensed and unlicensed properties.

Key areas of interest for the sub-committee included:

  • A summary of the HMO Consultation Response, including resident feedback and the council's responses.
  • The number of reports of suspected unlicensed HMOs.
  • Details of inspections carried out on HMOs.
  • Enforcement measures undertaken against unlicensed HMOs.
  • The locations of licensed HMOs, broken down by ward, to identify areas with a high concentration of HMOs.

The committee is particularly interested in resident feedback from the HMO Consultation Response, the numbers of reports of suspected unlicensed HMOs, inspections carried out, and enforcement measures undertaken.

The committee aimed to determine if the proportion of HMOs in certain areas exceeded an acceptable level. Members requested that these properties are mapped by wards and that officers clarify if there any areas where the proportion of properties being used as HMOs is above what the Council may be comfortable with? Officers were tasked with providing information and responding to these issues during the meeting. The Cover report - HMO final provided background information for the discussion.

The Place Overview & Scrutiny Sub Committee included:

  • Councillor David Taylor (Chairman)
  • Councillor Ray Best
  • Councillor Osman Dervish
  • Councillor Matthew Stanton (Vice-Chair)
  • Councillor Philippa Crowder
  • Councillor Laurance Garrard
  • Councillor Robby Misir ( Member Champion for Equalities & Diversity)
  • Councillor John Wood
  • Councillor Damian White