Houses in multiple occupation (HMO) consultation

We are running a consultation to renew our additional HMO licensing scheme.

In Camden, we believe everyone deserves a decent, safe and warm home. With over a third of households now living in the private rented sector, it is more important than ever to ensure properties provide good quality accommodation to all residents who choose to make Camden their home.

As part of our commitment to tackle poor housing conditions and improve management standards, we’re consulting on renewing our borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme.

Let us know your views by completing the survey.

Overview

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) are shared properties rented out by at least three people from two different households. They include house or flat shares, bedsits, student homes and some buildings converted into self-contained flats.

Good quality shared accommodation can provide decent and affordable places for Camden residents to live. However, we are aware that this type of accommodation can in some cases, be of poor quality and badly managed. This causes problems for the occupants as well as those living nearby.

In Camden, landlords are required to have a licence if they own or manage an HMO. The licence makes sure the property is well-maintained and safe for everyone living there. Issues like antisocial behaviour and overcrowding are also monitored under the licence. The scheme allows the Council to take action against rogue landlords who fail to comply.

Proposed scheme

A review of the existing scheme has shown we have made good progress in improving property and management standards within HMO’s. We are therefore proposing to renew it for a further five years when the current scheme ends in December. The scheme will focus on improving safety, conditions and management of these HMOs, and will help us work together with landlords and tenants to make sure that these homes are well managed and maintained.

Complete our survey

We want to hear from Camden residents, tenants, businesses, landlords, agents and service providers to shape the future of the scheme. If you live, own, manage, or rent property or provide a service in the neighbouring boroughs of Barnet, Brent, the City of London, Haringey, Islington, or Westminster, we would also welcome your feedback.

Before you start

Before completing the survey, we recommend that you read our summary of the proposals and the supplementary information. This is to understand why we think the scheme is a good idea for Camden and how we think it would continue to operate.

Start now

We are being supported in conducting the consultation by independent consultation specialist Public Perspectives. In clicking on the link you will be sent to a questionnaire they are managing on our behalf. At the end of the consultation they will produce an independent consultation report of the results. This will inform the Council’s decision, along with other relevant information.

Complete the consultation survey

The survey closes at midnight on 8 April.

Help with completing the survey

If you are a tenant or resident you can contact Camden Federation of Private Tenants by emailing [email protected].

If you are a landlord you can contact our HMO licensing team on 020 7974 5969 on Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, or you can email [email protected].

Camden private renters advice surgery

Tuesday 18 February 6pm to 8pm
Claudia Jones Room, Camden Town Hall, Judd Street, WC1H 9JE

Drop-in sessions

We’re also holding drop-in sessions at Camden libraries from 4 February. Come along if you have any specific queries or need help completing the consultation survey.

Tuesday 4 February 10:30am to 12:30pm

Pancras Square Library, 5 Pancras Square, N1C 4AG

Thursday 13 February 2pm to 4pm

Swiss Cottage Library, 88 Avenue Road, NW3 3HA

Tuesday 4 March 12pm to 2pm

Kentish Town Library, 262- 266 Kentish Town Road, NW5 2AA

Thursday 20 March 4pm to 6pm

Camden Town Library, 218 Eversholt Street, NW1 1BD

Tuesday 1 April 11:30am to 1:30pm

Queens Crescent Library, 165 Queen's Crescent, NW5 4HH

Navigation and privacy

Navigate through the questions using the 'next' button. To go back use the 'back' button. Do not use the browser's forward and back buttons as you may lose the completed sections.

Any questions relating to personal information are optional. Any information that you provide in response to this consultation will be processed in accordance with GDPR. Information will only be used to inform this consultation. Any personal information that could identify you will be kept for no more than one year after any decisions have been finalised.

Read further information about your rights.

Housing forms temporarily unavailable