Objections to plans for House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) in Fennells area of Harlow
News / Sun 31st May 2026 at 09:50am
RESIDENTS of a street in Harlow have raised objections to plans for a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) in their street.
The property in question is 9A Fennells, off Paringdon Road.
The client is Hazal Properties Limited.
The proposal states: “It will allow for the provision of high-quality, well-managed shared residential accommodation within an established residential area, contributing towards local housing need and offering a more affordable form of accommodation in a sustainable location”.
There have been a number of objections to the proposal.
Objection
The property itself was not built in keeping with the estate and has never been properly maintained. We overlook the rear of the property, so the lack of up keep is clearly evident. We have seen large structural cracks which have simply been field and painted which questions the safety to any habitant. I do not feel with multiple occupants, collectively, they will take responsibility to maintain the building and the large 2 sided garden. Rodents have already been seen.
As I understand the property could house up to 10 individuals. Parking in the area is bad already, as such this has already caused problems with the visitors to the local community Church which due to a strong appeal by the priest, senior religious leaders connections and influence resulted in double yellow lines. The property is just a pathway away from the church access and carpark. Additional bins and rubbish from a large amount of people living in the one building would have a direct effect on the church and its congregation.
================
Objection
The house in question was built in the garden of 9 Fennells and is already not in keeping with the surrounding area. It is on public footpaths leading to several schools. There is no parking provision for it in an area where parking is already horrendous. The Fennells is a nice family orientated area and the house should be kept as family dwelling not a HMO for single people. We strongly object to it being turned into an HMO.
==
The full application: HW/FUL/26/00202 can be found on the Harlow Council planning page.
David Forman
2026-05-31 13:19:41
Hazel Properties is run by Imam Dogan and has changed its registered office for what looks like an accommodation address in Capworth Street, London E10. The company has a mortgage on 9A Fennels and is clearly looking to maximize their investment. See https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/16914728/filing-history/MzUwMzQwOTY3MWFkaXF6a2N4/document?format=pdf&download=0
David Forman
2026-05-31 13:30:17
Judging by the picture I would say the applicant has been deficient in maintaining their grass and shrubbery. Also, the right-hand fence is falling down. Not a good start. This is what happens when Londoners snap up property to make a fast buck. Despite the Renters' Rights Act, I guess the landlord will fill it with asylum seekers as they will not know their rights. However, Clearsprings Ready Homes won't let the new renters legislation get in the way of them making a fast buck out of the Home Office. Everyone will be the winner, except the neighbours and the taxpayer.
Seamus
2026-05-31 15:49:38
The company was first registered in December 2025 and Mortgaged in Feb 2026. The loft in the existing plan is shown as a an existing loft room pressumably because it was not safe in meeting the required standards for a bedroom. The proposed plan seeks to change the status of the loft room into a 5th bedroom.I suspect if the "bike and bins shed" is allowed, it will end up being an illegal extension to gain even more income/asylum seekers. I agree with David on it's use. The proposer claimed " contributing towards local housing need " no it won't, not one local will be housed there. It is owned by a man from London, who intends to approach his local London council to fill this house in Harlow, full of asylum seekers, probably between 18-35. I hope Harlow council have tightened up on their due dilligence on applicants for such applications.
Jasper
2026-05-31 20:47:33
Without HMO's many people would be on the street. I live in a HMO. My landlord rents out 2 houses = 12 rooms. All of us are vetted before we take up residence. We have a maintenance man , a gardener and a cleaner. All the necessary permits and licences are in order and there are no problems with our neighbours. Harlow council do periodic checks to confirm all is correct and safe. Run properly they are a much needed lifeline.
Katherine Frances
2026-06-01 06:12:16
A couple of you are claiming this will house asylum seekers — do you have any evidence of that, or is it just scaremongering? You can be opposed to an HMO (I live locally and think it would be a disaster for the area) without dragging in unrelated tensions to manufacture outrage about it.
David Forman
2026-06-01 07:51:57
Dear Katherine Frances, please see evidence you asked for in following link: https://www.property118.com/landlords-turn-to-asylum-seeker-housing-amid-fears-over-renters-rights-bill/
David Forman
2026-06-01 08:37:12
Dear Jasper, you say HMOs are a much needed lifeline if "run correctly". Well, the picture in the article and the second Objector on the planning portal says it isn't maintained correctly at present. If the landlord can't maintain this property before he gets a licence, then there is little chance afterwards. The Renter's Rights Act does not cover asylum seeker accommodation, which would be attractive to this landlord because the evidence shows he does not want to spend too much money maintaining it. See Objections at https://planningonline.harlow.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=neighbourComments&keyVal=TF8PUXHXHN600
Jasper
2026-06-01 09:49:54
David Forman. All HMO,'s have to be licenced with the council. If they are poorly run and breach the rules then the licence is taken away. FACT. Obiously if there is a problem with a HMO then report it and action is taken.
Jasper
2026-06-01 09:54:35
Also there are agencies that are trying to put Asylum seekers into HMO's to dispurse them amongst the communities. Our Landlord will not accomodate any such requests. All tenants are vetted to see they have the correct paperwork and ID
Me
2026-06-01 13:23:31
Please learn from your lessons Harlow Council and reject this.
David Forman
2026-06-01 13:53:51
Dear Jasper, the Refugee Council and others interested in asylum seekers have raised concerns about non-compliance with HMO regulations. In a submission to parliament the Refugee Council raised overcrowding issue in Chelmsford concerning Clearsprings and in paragraph 22 says: "Other areas, including Swansea, Bradford, Liverpool, Reigate and Banstead, and East Riding, also;reported various issues including infestations, disrepair, health hazards, and non-compliance with HMO regulations. Specific incidents include cases of ceilings collapsing, which resulted in serious injuries to residents, including a two-year-old child and a mother, both of whom required hospital treatment." Also Bradford City Council's submission to parliament also complained of HMZo rules ignored See https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&rct=j&url=https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/135986/pdf&ved=2ahUKEwidxsHgleaUAxWzYUEAHb6WCp8Q1fkOegoIAggACAAIKBAg&opi=89978449&cd&psig=AOvVaw2-PQ3UA6Zegwej1-Yzi4TC&ust=1780407723344000
Jo B
2026-06-01 14:39:33
I agree that HMO's house people, which of course is necessary, but in a way that only profits greedy landlords. You say there are no neighbour issues but do you know that. Our 2 local HMO's have a constant change of tenants who all then are unaware of the local area. Shouting at nights, playing loud music, banging on doors and the constant smell of weed are some of the everyday issues. You say inform the council, they do nothing and never check with neighbours how it is going. I have no objection to the people living there, just sorry that they pay greedy people to do it and wish they could be more considerate when they move in. They move on very quickly but we don't and then have to go through it all again with the next recruits.
Jasper
2026-06-01 19:27:57
Jo B, before our landlord took over the running of his 2 HMO,s they were managed by Nickolds. There were all manner of wrongens in there. Now managed and vetted properly there are 4 yr + tenants, a great rapore with the neighbours, no police call outs for disturbanceys and no negative reports from the council inspections. So if run properly and things are kept on top of then they are a boost to those who need a roof over their heads.
Tupperware User
2026-06-01 20:17:06
I live in a quiet tidy HMO managed by Nickolds it is clean quiet and friendly in atmosphere then around 6 months ago the new tenant is a drunk who has never used the bathroom and stinks the house out by urinating and defecating in buckets in his room. This is a white English man from the local area. There is good and bad everywhere but the British tolerance dictates we must give everyone a chance.
Leave a Comment Below:
14 Comments for Objections to plans for House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) in Fennells area of Harlow: