London borough raises concern over proposed relaxation of HMO licensing for houses accommodating asylum seekers

Waltham Forest Council has warned that the Government's new Houses in Multiple Occupation (Asylum-Seeker Accommodation)(England) Regulations will reduce council oversight of Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMO), risking overcrowding and lower housing standards.

In a factsheet published last month, the Home Office said the change in law will support the rapid provision of accommodation in local areas.

The statutory instrument will temporarily exempt asylum accommodation from HMO licensing requirements and will apply to properties which begin use as asylum accommodation until 30 June 2024. The regulations will cease to be in force on 1 July 2026, and after this point all HMOs used as asylum accommodation will require licences.

The accommodation will be subject to a robust inspection regime by suitably qualified staff to provide assurances on its safety, according to the Home Office.

But in a statement criticising the plans, Waltham Forest said the move would increase the likelihood of overcrowding and lead to lower living standards as the local authority will not be able to impose licence controls.

Sharing information about vulnerable people will also be made more difficult and it will therefore be harder for councils to identify those in need of support and provide help, the council said.

The council stated that it has also highlighted significant safety concerns to the Government regarding around 450 people, including children and vulnerable adults currently living in a hotel in the borough. This came following the sexual assault of two children, Waltham Forest said.

In November 2022, the Leader of Waltham Forest Council, Cllr Grace Williams, wrote to Home Secretary Suella Braverman outlining her serious safety concerns at the hotel due to the Home Office and its contractors not managing the venue properly.

According to the council, the Home Office has "still not taken appropriate action to address the concerns".

Cllr Williams said: “Day after day we learn of truly awful cases of abuse and assault of refugees in Home Office accommodation. Vulnerable people, especially children, are not getting the level of care needed to keep them safe, as we have seen with the deeply concerning sexual assault cases.

“Even the Home Office itself has now recognised that proper assessments would help to reduce the risk of inappropriate placements, and yet it has not made this a requirement of contractors. Instead, the most vulnerable continue to be exposed to danger in the one place they should feel most safe: their accommodation."

Cllr Williams added: “Waltham Forest has a long and proud history of welcoming those fleeing persecution and seeking sanctuary. It is completely unacceptable to see the conditions these vulnerable people are being forced to live in when they should experience some basic comfort and security. Many do not have access to basic amenities like cooking facilities, areas to play or homework space. They are not permitted to work in the UK and are only given £8 a week to live on. Many are feeling desperate and isolated."

The Local Government Association also raised fears about the law change last week after it voiced concern that standards would not be maintained given the operational pressures on the Home Office.

Adam Carey