Exclusive: “Exposed-The Hidden HMO Crisis Taking Over Havering Streets”

HMOs are becoming a real issue for many living across Havering. The biggest challenge for Havering Council is the fact that many are likely not to be officially registered and as such are being used illegally.

As of the end of May, there were 324 HMOs officially registered across the borough. That’s a significant increase from last year—a sharp rise that reflects just how quickly these properties are multiplying.

Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Councillor Graham Williamson, spoke to the Havering Daily:
“They are definitely becoming a problem. We are being targeted for more and more HMOs as we have some of the cheapest properties across London. Many are from landlords across inner London who want to purchase properties here. We have a nice borough with lots of green spaces and have an appeal to inner London landlords.”

However, the figure of 324 represents only those that are officially registered. It is widely believed that the actual number is much higher, with many HMOs operating under the radar despite the council’s efforts to track them down.

Romford and Hornchurch have taken the brunt of these HMOs, with Romford having 140 in the town area and Hornchurch just over 50. Councillor Williamson continued:
“The government has made it difficult to stop them, so this is now being exploited. Our concern as a borough is that obviously those unregistered are probably of poor quality and the living conditions inadequate. If people do report to us problems about a possible illegal HMO, we investigate, but it can be a complicated and drawn out process.”

For residents living in Havering, the sight of a ‘For Sale’ sign or the start of building works on a neighbouring property often sparks fear—fear that yet another house will be turned into an HMO. There has been a significant increase from 267 last year to 324 so far this year. These properties are difficult to deal with and present many problems for neighbours, the council, and ultimately the people living in unsafe, unsuitable accommodation.

The council frequently finds its hands tied, with limited powers to act, as residents grow increasingly frustrated at the surge in HMOs across the borough. Illegal HMOs are clearly the biggest problem, often owned by unscrupulous landlords from inner London who show no regard for the impact on Havering residents. Instead, they choose to profit from people in need, housing them in cramped, substandard conditions.

So what can be done? Sadly, very little—at least at a local level. With government regulations making it harder to prevent these properties from being established, the most important action residents can take is to keep reporting any suspected illegal HMOs to the council.

Only by working together as a community can we try to hold rogue landlords to account—and protect our borough from becoming a dumping ground for poor housing practice.

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