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Ealing Council Launches Crackdown on Overcrowded Homes

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  Published in House and Home on Wednesday, November 26th 2025 at 4:48 GMT by BBC

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Ealing Council’s Tough New Crack‑Down on Homes Housing Multiple Tenants

The Ealing Borough Council has launched a vigorous campaign aimed at curbing the proliferation of homes that are being used to house multiple occupants well beyond the limits set by the UK’s housing and council‑tax laws. In a press release and a series of on‑site visits, the council announced that it has identified over 300 properties across the borough that are in breach of the local regulations, and that it will be taking a range of enforcement actions – from fines to eviction notices – against landlords and tenants who violate the rules.

Why the crackdown?

Over the past two years, a steady rise in “extra‑occupancy” – where a property houses more people than its legally defined occupancy limit – has alarmed Ealing residents. The problem is two‑fold:

1. Overcrowding and safety – Too many people in a small dwelling can lead to a host of health and safety concerns, from fire hazards to inadequate ventilation.
2. Council‑tax evasion – When a property is listed with a single tenant for council‑tax purposes but actually houses several people, the local authority loses revenue that could be used to fund public services.

According to the council’s data‑analysis report (linked in the article to a PDF that details the methodology), 27% of the flagged properties were identified as being used for short‑term holiday rentals via platforms such as Airbnb, which often bypass the council’s registration requirements. The report also highlighted that many of the properties were in council‑tax “non‑residential” status while still being occupied as residential premises, effectively defrauding the borough.

What the council is doing

1. Notice of Breach and Fines

The council’s Housing Enforcement Unit has issued “Notice of Breach” letters to 185 landlords and 110 tenants, demanding compliance within 30 days. Failure to comply can lead to a £500 fine per violation, which can be compounded if the landlord continues to breach the regulations.

2. Property Inspections

Ealing has also increased its on‑site inspection budget. Inspectors will conduct unannounced visits to 120 properties identified in the data‑driven report. The article cites the inspection plan: inspectors will look for physical evidence of overcrowding (extra beds, additional cooking facilities) and will interview residents to confirm the number of occupants.

3. Legal Action

If a property remains non‑compliant, the council will pursue legal proceedings. “Where we suspect deliberate mis‑representation to evade council‑tax, we will bring a case in the County Court,” said the council’s Housing Officer, Ms. Emily Foster.

4. Public Awareness Campaign

Ealing has also launched an online resource hub (link provided in the article to the council’s Housing and Planning page) that explains the legal occupancy limits, the responsibilities of landlords, and how tenants can report suspicious activity. The hub also includes a hotline that residents can call anonymously.

Real‑world cases

The article spotlights a few illustrative examples:

• St. Mary's Avenue, Harlesden – A three‑bedroom flat that was being rented to six tenants. The landlord, who also operates a small bed‑and‑breakfast on the property, was fined £1,200 after a two‑month investigation.

• Queensway, Acton – A former family home now houses eight occupants, including a full‑time nanny. The council issued a warning letter, and the family was given a 60‑day compliance deadline.

• Gordon Road, North Acton – A property listed as non‑residential on the council tax register but housing 12 people. The owner was required to pay back‑dated council tax of £3,400 and has been barred from registering future residential tenants without council approval.

These cases underline the breadth of the problem, from low‑level violations to more sophisticated schemes designed to profit from short‑term rentals.

Legal background

Under the Housing Act 2004 and the Housing (Right to Buy) Regulations 2013, landlords must register all tenancies and provide the council with accurate occupancy details. Additionally, the Council Tax (Housing) Regulations 2011 dictate that each household must be registered for council tax. Breaching these regulations can lead to both civil penalties and criminal prosecution under the Fraud Act 2006.

Ealing’s enforcement strategy leverages recent updates to the Local Government Act 1972, which grant councils greater powers to investigate and prosecute housing-related offences. The article also references a national government directive (linking to a UK Parliament page) that encourages local authorities to adopt data‑driven approaches to detecting overcrowding.

Reactions from the community

Landlords’ perspective – Many landlords have expressed concern that the crackdown may be too aggressive, especially for those operating small‑scale bed‑and‑breakfasts or renting to students. One local entrepreneur stated, “We want to stay compliant, but we’re also providing affordable housing for students. I hope the council offers guidance on how we can meet the requirements without losing income.”

Tenants’ perspective – On the other side, tenants who are being forced to move out are largely supportive of the council’s action. A resident of a flagged property said, “We’ve been living in that house for years, but we didn’t know it was against the law. Now we’re going to find a new place.”

Council’s view – The council’s chief executive, Dr. Laura Williams, emphasised that the primary goal is to ensure “safe, healthy, and lawful housing for all residents." She also announced a partnership with local charities to provide support services for tenants displaced by the enforcement.

Future plans and next steps

The article outlines several forward‑looking initiatives:

• Technology upgrades – Ealing is investing in a new GIS‑based platform that will cross‑reference council tax data with tenancy agreements and social media listings to detect potential violations in real time.

• Community outreach – In partnership with local neighbourhood associations, the council will host quarterly workshops to educate landlords and tenants about occupancy rules.

• Monitoring partnership – Ealing is collaborating with the Greater London Authority’s Housing Monitoring Office to share data and best practices across boroughs.

Links to additional resources

1. Council’s Housing & Planning Page – Provides downloadable forms for tenancy registration and a FAQ on council tax for landlords.
2. Housing Act 2004 Summary – UK Government’s explanatory page on the law.
3. UK Parliament Directive on Overcrowding – Legal framework for local enforcement.
4. Case study PDF – Detailed report on the 300 properties flagged by the data‑driven audit.

Bottom line

Ealing Council’s new crackdown signals a decisive shift toward stricter enforcement of housing regulations. By combining data analytics with a robust inspection regime, the council aims to eliminate illegal multi‑occupancy arrangements that threaten public safety and undermine local revenue streams. While some stakeholders fear that the initiative may penalise legitimate small‑scale housing providers, the council’s stated intent is to protect residents and maintain a healthy housing market for the borough. The outcome of these enforcement actions, and their ripple effects on the wider London housing scene, will be closely watched by policymakers, landlords, and tenants alike.