Harlow Council leader issues promise over asylum seekers and HMOs
News / Mon 25th Aug 2025 at 04:14pm
HARLOW Council’s Leader, Cllr Dan Swords, has issued a statement about the recent concern about asylum hotels and Houses of Multiple Occupations (HMOs).
Councillor Swords said: “I know so many residents are concerned, so let me be absolutely clear: under no circumstances will we allow the Government to open an asylum hotel or HMOs in our town.
“Our priority is – and will always remain – standing up for the people of Harlow.”
Councillor Swords comments come after concerns where residents of the Bell Hotel would, if moved, would be placed next?
There are hundreds of privately HMOs in Harlow
Harlow Council wouldn’t (we believe) have any say in who resides there. However, they may have to be vigilant in case the government find another route.
Kim O'connor
2025-08-25 16:17:45
This is good to hear Dan. I just hope it's true.
Old Fella
2025-08-25 17:34:09
Where's Chris Vince voicing his support for the local council.
Doreen
2025-08-25 19:37:10
In January 2025, in response to his 2024 election promise to bring a full scale Marks & Spencer back to the heart of the town Mr Dan said “We promised to bring M&S back to Harlow and when I made that pledge, I was ridiculed by Harlow Labour – who drove M&S out of town when they ran the council. Well they’re not laughing now. We’ve been working around the clock and brilliant progress is being made towards that promise" - So when he says "so let me be absolutely clear" - treat whatever he says with a pinch of salt.
Adam
2025-08-25 21:32:06
Excellent news thanks
Steve
2025-08-26 06:19:35
Does this mean landlords of existing HMOs will be prevented from housing asylum seekers?
Not my King
2025-08-26 06:36:39
Shame about (we believe) your dog whistle at the end.
Jamie
2025-08-26 07:28:27
According to the public register, Harlow Currently has 280 active HMO licenses. Every single one of them has a start or renewal date during Dan Swords' current term. He doesn't have the power to do what he's promising. This is a meaningless dog whistle.
David Forman
2025-08-26 08:17:41
The Scarlet Pimpernel MP Chris Vince staying silent on another controversial issue. I think the word coward springs to mind.
Andy
2025-08-26 10:52:06
Getting on for a year ago, all the owners of established HMO's in Harlow were contacted by estate / letting agencies offering £2.5k a month for a 6 roomed house with no bills, a 5 year contract and promises that the house will be fully refurbished at the end of contract. Obviously this put rents up for local people to try to clear the hotels! Hope that answers your question Steve? Government must have offered this.
Scott Hegley
2025-08-26 12:51:07
Dan Swords is busily presenting himself as tough on the local effects of immigration. As Chris Vince is silent now, so was he during the last Conservative government, which ushered in unprecedented levels of immigration to our country, putting massive pressure on housing, the NHS, schools and everything else. Dan and his Tory chums are late to this issue and flailing around to fend off Reform UK, which does actually mean what it says in putting hard working, tax-paying Brits first!
Paul
2025-08-26 17:51:58
You seem to have forgotten that it was a Conservative government that allowed these hotels to be used to house people seeking asylum. It was also the Conservative government that allowed office blocks to be converted to residential use, this included Terminus house and Rank house as well as numerous others across Harlow. And HMO's have to be licensed by the local authority.
Steve
2025-08-27 06:37:38
Andy, I can only assume from what you said that the Government might be readying HMOs for the introduction of asylum seekers? Personally, this would not be welcomed as I am in the close proximity of an HMO. I wonder what my courses of action might be if this were to actually take place?
Steve
2025-08-27 07:39:41
Andy, as you can probably tell, I am intrigued by your information about the offer from estate / letting agencies to owners of established HMOs. Were you one of those owners? If not, how did you come by this information please?
James Gamble
2025-08-28 10:08:40
Censored again
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