We, the residents of North Hanwell and Elthorne Heights, urgently call on Ealing Council to stop the licencing of family homes into HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) in our neighbourhood.

In the last 12 months, a very big number of family homes are being converted into HMOs. Four of these homes are situated just 20 metres of one another. These changes are being pushed through under ‘permitted development’ rules - with no full planning application, no feasibility study or local consultation.

Why this matters:

· These properties sit directly on the school route for Mayfield Primary School, raising serious concerns for child safety, especially with increased traffic and pollution, and anti-social behaviour.

· These conversions are being rushed in just months before Ealing’s ‘Article 4 Direction’ (November 2025), which aims to remove permitted development rights for HMOs across the borough.

· Allowing multiple HMOs in such close proximity to one another creates a clear over-concentration, which is against national and local planning guidance.

· Residents are already seeing a rise in noise, fly-tipping, parking issues, drug use and drug dealing.

· This undermines community cohesion and puts pressure on already stretched local services.

We are asking the Council to:

·  Immediately pause all licences for new HMO conversions in this area.

· Investigate existing conversions for compliance, licensing, and community

impact.

· Take enforcement action where appropriate.

· Uphold the spirit of the ‘Article 4 Direction’ by preventing a last-minute

surge in unregulated HMO developments.

· Set a limit to one HMO per street.    

We’re not against renters - we’re against poorly planned, low quality, high-density developments that change the character and safety of our neighbourhood.