We have been successful in our application to the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) to introduce an additional licensing scheme in our borough.
This scheme extends our powers to tackle poor housing conditions, overcrowding and poor management in some of the most poorly managed properties in our borough.
The additional licensing scheme only applies to certain types of HMOs in five designated wards.
These are:
from Thursday 15 October, the scheme applies to Hounslow Central and Hounslow Heath wards; and
from Friday 15th January 2010, the scheme will be extended to include Hounslow West, Cranford and Feltham North wards.
It also applies to all HMOs which satisfy the following conditions:
The HMO or any part of it comprises two storeys or more
It is occupied by four or more persons
It is occupied by persons living in two or more single households.
The following storeys’ are also taken into account:
Any basement, attic and mezzanine level if used or constructed wholly or partly as living accommodation
Where the living accommodation is situated in part of a building above business premises, each storey comprising the business premises
Where the living accommodation is situated in part of a building below business premises, each storey comprising the business premises
Any other storey that is used wholly or partly as living accommodation, or in connection with and as an integral part of the HMO.
If you own or manage an HMO which falls under the Additional or Mandatory licensing scheme, you must complete and return an HMO licensing application form. For further information about the application form, see under Related links, right hand side of this page, mandatory licensing of HMOs.
Please note, buildings that have been converted into entirely self contained flats are exempt from mandatory HMO licensing scheme.
Contact us
If you wish to have your building inspected, require advice on the property you rent own or manage is affected or require general advice (including how to apply for a licence), contact us at :
Private Sector Housing
London Borough of Hounslow
Civic Centre
Lampton Road
Hounslow
TW3 4DN
Tel: 020 8583 3870/3880
Fax: 020 8583 3990
Email: privatesectorhousing@hounslow.gov.uk