HMOs and Article 4 Directions

Further to an earlier discussion on the site I made a members enquiry on the use of Article 4 directions for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Harringay Ward. I received this response. I thought it would be useful to post it to keep residents updated with progress, there is however in my opinion still much to be done!

The issue of HMOs and their appropriate control is being looked at and improved by the Council’s HMO and Conversions Working Party. The Working Group will be meeting in early December to discuss the impact of the new legislation, and the pros and cons of utilising Article 4 directions to control HMO numbers and quality in Haringey. Haringey are aware that setting Article 4 directions in general is a resource intensive process, and there may be other controls and processes that may be cheaper to run and more effective. The Working Group will decide how to move forward on these issues in consultation with its key stakeholder groups.

The Working Party has already agreed on a number of measures to be put into place to respond to concerns around HMOs:

 

• Better integrated working between key services – particularly in areas known to have HMOs and particularly between enforcement, private housing, planning , community safety and neighbourhood management
• Increase the ability of key Council services to create a small “task force” to focus on problem properties, landlords, tenants and particular streets – since it is felt that specific properties/landlords are causing the concerns for the whole sector or area
• Stronger and more focused enforcement response on noise, planning and environmental crime
• Rogue Landlords Action Plan – targeting action at the worst landlords
  Landlords Forum to support good landlords and develop a “Good Landlord and Tenants Information Pack”. This will also include regular information to all local estate agents to get them to support “Good Landlords…”
• Increased scrutiny of evidence relating to requests for Certificates of lawful change from family dwellings to flats – a planning function
  Review of future cleaning/refuse contract so that problems in high occupancy areas are better managed
• Review of planning policy to control HMOs and Conversions not just through area policies but also through home space and facility standards,(e.g. minimal floor areas, on site storage/private amenity space, appropriate parking, good design)
  Review of need for increased licensing of HMOs – to ensure landlords provide good and well managed accommodation
• Regular listening and feed back to councillors and community groups who are concerned about this issue – this has led to better monitoring of complaints and actions on them
  Ability to carry out one off support or action programmes, (e.g. Anti Burglary sweeps an
• Street Cleaning blitzes), particularly in high occupancy areas.

Comments and thoughts always appreciated please

Cllr Karen Alexander