Hounslow (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Hounslow’s landlord licensing scheme, which aimed to regulate Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), has ended, sparking concerns about rogue landlords.
Hounslow Council conducted a consultation on plans to extend the supplementary licensing system from March 12 to May 21, 2025, before its expiration.
Since August 1, 2025, there hasn’t been another licensing scheme in operation in Hounslow due to the time needed to review the results of the discussion.
London Property Licensing has learned that on September 2, 2025, the findings of the licensing discussion were presented during a Cabinet meeting. The National Residential Landlord Association and Safeagent submitted written cessions, and the Cabinet was notified that there were 71 replies to the discussion.
Following an analysis of the consultation input, council officers came to the conclusion that there was a score draw: 47.9% of respondents were in favor of the supplementary licensing scheme being renewed for another five years, while 47.9% were against it. 4.2% of respondents were unsure.
In spite of this, the Cabinet chose to extend the supplementary licensing scheme for a further five years after taking all the factors into account. The plan will grant licenses to the great majority of the borough’s multiple-occupancy houses.
£1,550 will be required to apply for an HMO license, plus an additional £25 for each household occupying the property. A fee reduction will be available to accredited managing agents and accredited landlords.
On September 11, 2025, Hounslow Council designated the extra licensing scheme, and on December 11, 2025, the new scheme will go into effect.
To guarantee adherence to the new plan, London Property Licensing is advising all agents and landlords to apply for HMO licenses by December 11, 2025.
How long does the HMO licence last and the renewal process?
An HMO licence generally lasts for over to five times. The renewal process requires landlords or managing agents to apply for renewal before the current licence expires generally at least two to three months in advance.
The council will generally check the property again to ensure it meets the needed norms before issuing a renewed licence. Failure to renew on time might affect enforcement action or bear applying for a new licence. Operation and renewal freights, attestation conditions, and timelines may vary by council but generally follow these procedures to maintain compliance.
This process helps insure HMOs continue to meet safety, operation, and residency norms throughout the licence period.
