Hillingdon Council has approved the swift introduction of a boroughwide Article 4 Direction increasing its powers to better monitor and control the impacts of new Houses in Multiple Occupancy (HMO) to help protect communities.
The reinforced rules will help the council prevent the overconcentration of HMOs in any one area and preserve the character of local neighbourhoods.
Approved by Full Council tonight (Thursday 27 November), the new Article 4 Direction will remove permitted development rights which currently allow a family home to be converted into a small HMO for three to six people without planning permission.
All owners must now obtain planning permission before changing the use of a property to any size of HMO. Planning permission has always been required for any large HMOs for more than six people.
The new requirements will come into effect as soon as possible and the council will formally announce an implementation date through a public notice on the council’s website. An immediate Article 4 Direction still requires local authorities to consult with residents after it has been implemented and then confirm it after six months with agreement from the Secretary of State.
The council’s existing Article 4 Direction for small HMOs covering the former Brunel and Uxbridge South wards will be cancelled and replaced by the boroughwide requirements.
Cllr Steve Tuckwell, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Growth said: “Too many communities have felt the impact of poorly managed HMOs from overcrowding and anti-social behaviour to properties that simply aren’t fit for purpose.
"Residents have told us that the situation in some areas has become a scourge on their neighbourhoods and based on these reports, we must take action. These new measures give us far stronger powers to control where HMOs can be set up and to properly hold landlords to account.
“For many people, HMOs offer an affordable and flexible housing option, and good landlords play an important role in providing that. These powers will help us work with responsible landlords while making sure HMOs are in the right locations and meet the standards our residents rightly expect.”
Following concerns raised by residents about the increase in HMOs and issues associated with them, such as poor housing quality for tenants, rogue landlords and anti-social behaviour, the council commissioned an independent housing tenure survey in July 2025 to explore a range of enhanced restrictions.
The survey found private renting in Hillingdon had increased by 52 per cent since 2011 and now makes up 25 per cent of all residential properties. Analysis predicts there could be more than 1,800 hidden HMOs operating.
It also highlighted concerns about the quality of housing being provided by landlords, with 14.3 per cent of privately rented homes having at least one serious home hazard.
The council is also currently consulting residents, landlords and letting agents on proposals to introduce a boroughwide HMO additional licensing scheme.
To find out more about the council’s Article 4 Directions, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/article-4-directions.
