HMOs Increase Across Havering as Council Faces Enforcement Challenges

Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) are becoming an increasingly visible and often controversial feature across Havering, with residents, landlords and the council all facing very different realities as numbers continue to rise in 2025.

For many people living near HMOs, especially those operating illegally, the experience can be deeply frustrating. Residents regularly report ongoing issues such as noise, anti-social behaviour, parking pressures and a loss of the quiet character of their streets. In some roads, the impact is described as constant, with complaints becoming a regular part of daily life.

At the same time, HMOs play an important role for others. For people on low incomes, those priced out of the private rental market, or individuals needing short-term accommodation, an HMO can be a vital lifeline. A single room in a shared house may be the only affordable option available, particularly during a housing crisis where demand far outstrips supply.

This creates a difficult balancing act for councils like Havering. While legal and well-managed HMOs can help meet housing need, illegal HMOs pose serious problems. These can include unsafe living conditions, overcrowding, breaches of planning and licensing rules, and a lack of oversight. Shutting down an illegal HMO is not straightforward. The council must gather evidence, follow legal processes and ensure enforcement action is lawful and proportionate, which can take time while residents continue to experience disruption.

Havering has seen a noticeable increase in HMOs during 2025, with the number of officially registered HMOs rising from 267 last year to 324 this year, an increase of 57 known properties on the council’s register. This reflects a broader trend of rising demand for shared accommodation locally and highlights ongoing concerns about enforcement and planning control. The Havering Daily

Figures like 324 licensed HMOs represent only those officially recorded and licensed. Housing studies suggest the total number of HMOs in the borough — including properties not yet officially identified — could be significantly higher, with estimates of around 864 known and predicted HMOs spread across all 20 wards. democracy.havering.gov.uk

At a national level, the government does not specifically mandate more HMOs, but wider housing and planning policies have indirectly encouraged shared housing as part of efforts to increase overall housing supply and provide affordable options in high-demand areas. Licensing schemes and regulations aim to improve standards, but enforcement is left largely to local authorities, many of which are already under pressure due to funding constraints.

For Havering, HMOs present ongoing challenges. The council must balance the need to support affordable accommodation with its responsibility to protect neighbourhood quality and ensure properties are safe and properly managed. As numbers continue to rise, residents are increasingly calling for stronger enforcement, clearer planning controls and greater transparency over where HMOs are being approved.

The debate around HMOs is unlikely to fade. For some they remain an essential part of the housing system. For others they are a growing source of concern. What is clear is that as Havering changes, how HMOs are managed, regulated and integrated into local communities will remain a key issue for residents, councillors and the council alike.

Stay up to date with all of our latest updates and content by following us on our social media accounts!

We have created community pages where we will share our up-to-date stories happening in the area. Add the area closest to where you live.