Reform UK, which plans to stand candidates in every Ealing Council ward at the May 2026 local elections, has told EALING.NEWS that one of its key campaign priorities will be halting what it says is the proliferation of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the borough.
Steve Chilcott, branch chair for the Reform UK Ealing branch, said that Ealing, like many London boroughs, faces the challenge of balancing increasing housing demand with community wellbeing. However, he described the spread of HMOs – properties rented out by at least three people, and sometimes as many as 20, who are not from the same household but share facilities — as one of the borough’s most contentious housing issues.
Mr Chilcott said: “Converting single-family homes into HMOs, frequently housing between 10 and 20 tenants, leads to a higher number of residents than properties were originally designed to accommodate. This puts pressure on local services including waste collection, street parking, GP surgeries, and public transport.”
In September 2024, Ealing Council revealed there are an estimated 8,360 HMOs in the borough. The council announced it would be taking more control over houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) following concerns from residents over the impact they have on local communities by enforcing two directions under Article 4 of the Town and Country Planning Order 2015. This will require landlords and property owners to apply for planning permission if they want to convert homes into small HMOs.
Reform UK argues that despite this, the large number of HMOs highlights the scale of the problem and the urgent need for even tighter local controls. The party says that without firm action, the situation will worsen as more landlords convert family homes into multi-tenant properties to maximise rental income.
Mr Chilcott added: “HMOs are frequently poorly managed, with overcrowding and substandard living conditions being common, leaving tenants vulnerable to fire risks, damp, and inadequate facilities. Many HMOs often house multiple adults who have their own vehicle, leading to even further congestion and insufficient parking in many areas of the borough such as Southall, where residential parking is already limited. Residents of Southall have reported that the proliferation of HMOs has already resulted in an increase in late-night noise and anti-social behaviour.”
Mr Chilcott said the campaign was not about opposing affordable housing but about protecting the character and stability of local communities.
He added: “Standing against HMOs in Ealing is not about rejecting affordable housing, but about safeguarding the borough’s identity, infrastructure, and quality of life.”
