Croydon Takes Strong Stance Against Illegal Multiple Occupancy Houses
Croydon is stepping up efforts to tackle illegal houses of multiple occupancy. The mayor emphasizes the importance of protecting neighborhoods and ensuring safe living conditions.
Croydon, Houses of Multiple Occupancy, Illegal Housing, Jason Perry, Planning Enforcement
These HMOs can be a good option for affordable housing, especially in busy places like Croydon. But when they’re not regulated, problems pop up, like overcrowding and unsafe living conditions.
To tackle this, Croydon’s enforcement teams are ramping up their efforts. They recently checked out 21 properties in areas like Thornton Heath and Norbury, looking for suspected illegal HMOs.
During this operation, they found several planning rule violations. Now, the council is working on taking the right steps to address these issues.
When managed well, HMOs can be a great housing solution. However, Croydon has strict rules about where they can be located, thanks to an Article 4 direction set up in 2020.
With a growing population, Croydon has faced more challenges than nearby areas with these unregulated HMOs. The demand for affordable housing has led to gaps in enforcement.
Despite these challenges, Mayor Jason Perry is committed to making planning enforcement a priority. Since 2021, the council has cut down active enforcement cases from over 2,000 to 711, a significant drop.
They’ve wrapped up 2,485 investigations, with outcomes ranging from negotiations to formal notices or even court actions.
Mayor Perry has a clear message for landlords: operating illegal HMOs is not acceptable. He believes these developments can hurt neighborhoods and promises to take action.
He’s dedicated to preserving the unique character of Croydon and appreciates residents who report concerns. The mayor assures everyone that the council will follow up on all reports received.