North Hanwell Residents Fear HMO Displacement

Believe increase in conversion in their area is a result of Perivale restrictions

Residents claim an influx of HMOs is changing the nature of the neighbourhood. Picture: Google Streetivew

June 26, 2025

A group of residents in the north of Hanwell believe that measures taken by Ealing Council to restrict Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Perivale have displaced the problem to its area.

Hanwell Residents Against HMO Overdevelopment says there has been a surge in the number of applications with six being made within 30 metres of the end of Beechmont Avenue alone. Previously residents of Medway Village managed to get the council to introduce restrictions in their area after a large number of properties were converted to HMOs but now it is alleged that the same landlords have switched their attention to North Hanwell and Elthorne Heights over the last 12 months.

Ealing Council is making an Article 4 direction to further restrict conversions to HMOs across the borough in November. This would end the ability of conversions to HMOs being made without full planning permission. However, it is believed conversions are being rushed through ahead of this date. In the meantime, it is feared that further family homes will be turned into HMOs a prospect which it is claimed ‘terrifies’ some residents who are considering leaving the area. This could have significant longer-term consequences including falling school rolls at Mayfield Primary.

Some people living in the area believe that the increase in HMOs has corresponded with a rise in anti-social behaviour such as noise, fly-tipping, parking issues, drug use and drug dealing.

A petition has been set up which, at the time of writing has received over 100 signatures.

The petition states, “We, the residents of North Hanwell and Elthorne Heights, urgently call on Ealing Council to stop the licencing of family homes into HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) in our neighbourhood.”

It also causes for an investigation into existing conversions for compliance, licensing, and community impact and enforcement action to be taken against any non-compliance. Additional measures demanded include a limit of one HMO per street. A council spokesperson said, “House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing schemes ensure private rented homes are safe, well-managed, protect tenants, meet national standards and improve housing conditions across the borough.

“We do not issue licences without thorough inspections and checks. Where properties fail to meet standards, licences are refused, revoked, or restricted. We are currently inspecting almost 200 licensed properties every month, and in April 2025 21 licences were revoked and 130 tenants were supported in reclaiming rent from unlicensed landlords.

“A borough-wide rule (Article 4 Direction) is coming into force this November which requires planning permission to convert a house into a small HMO.

“We are expanding enforcement, including tackling anti-social behaviour and poor waste management in licensed privately rented properties. We are committed to raising housing standards and listening to residents’ concerns.

“Anyone can check whether a private rented property has been licensed using our online public register (Public register - London Borough of Ealing) and public access licensing module (Simple Search). Residents with any concerns about housing in their neighbourhood, such as properties operating without the appropriate license, or failure to comply with conditions, should report them to propertyregulation@ealing.gov.uk”