Haringey (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Cllr Luke Cawley-Harrison raises concern over illegal HMOs in Haringey, urging enforcement action as properties continue to impact housing conditions.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledged last month that she had violated housing laws by renting out a home she owned without the necessary Southwark Council license. The Labour cabinet member for housing in the same borough quit this month after Southwark Liberal Democrat council members’ investigations revealed that he had neglected to obtain a license for his own houses.
Even though these events dominated the news, Labour is in charge of a similar, concerning problem in Haringey.
According to a recent Guardian investigation, a number of authorities are assigning or recommending citizens to Houses in Multiple Occupation without the necessary license. Among the councils mentioned was Haringey. The council has continued to use or refer locals who depend on the authority rather than addressing unauthorized properties as a red line.
The purpose of licensing is to protect people. Residents should never be led by Haringey to residences that it is aware are unlawful. The Liberal Democrat group is acting where Haringey Labour has failed in this crisis.
They had voiced our concerns to the chief executive prior to the publication of the Guardian article, and we have since met with the corporate director for housing to demand immediate changes. In support of this, they have submitted a motion to the full council calling for an urgent audit of every household placed or referred into an unlicensed HMO. Additionally, it calls for a ban on using any property without a valid license, increased openness through the council’s regular reporting of proactive compliance checks, and other measures.
Labour has demonstrated a lack of political leadership when it comes to property licensing, whether it is in Southwark, Haringey, or the Chancellor. Labour needs to address the fundamentals locally if it hopes to restore confidence in its housing promises on a national level. Haringey ought to lead by example rather than exacerbate the issue.
What specific failures in Haringey’s licensing policy should Labour address?
Haringey Council’s licensing schemes suffer from shy visionary examinations, with only 21 HHSRS (Housing Health and Safety Rating System) assessments conducted between 2021 and 2023 despite entering 1432 complaints about private rented parcels.
This low exertion comprising just 7 examinations per time leaves tenants in unacceptable casing without support and fails to justify the schemes’ costs or objects. Only 5 of estimated HMOs were audited in the first three times of the city-wide fresh licensing scheme, aggravated by COVID- related dislocations but persisting due to limited coffers.
The council lacks sufficient Environmental Health Officers( EHOs), with roughly one per 8,000 private rented sector parcels, hindering effective enforcement. While 35 civil penalty notices were issued from 2021- 2023, utmost targeted unlicensed HMOs rather than addressing poor conditions like damp and mould.