Forum Topic

Is this going to be Encouraged all around EALING?

I live in a small street of 31 Family Houses, a cul de sac. We are a happy Community and had hoped to enjoy the closeness for the time we live here.. Seven of the houses have now been rented to Multiple occupation,the original owners having passed on or left the area and we find that the seven dwellings have a greater number of occupants than the rest of the Houses in the street.Is this something that we must tolerate sympathetically or try to do something about it.?If so what? A worrying development particularly when the new owners do not live amongst us.

Os A Whittle ● 4655d12 Comments

Thank you Philippa for posting your thoughts on the Issue resulting. It helps to realise that others have noticed that there could be some way of approaching a widespread problem. It is something that many of us have jointly tried and are awaiting a reply .

Os A Whittle ● 4652d

The problem I've found is that when there is a communal area and the bins are communal - instead of everybody taking some responsibility - nobody does.  This is not helped by Ealing Council at all.  It can be difficult to order recycling bags and boxes when you live in a flat.  There is a feeling that this is being discouraged.  It certainly isn't being encouraged. With an HMO the landlord has to be take responsibility and is supposed to make sure that there are proper bins.  The property is supposed to have somebody managing it.  If this does not appear to be the case then you can ask the Council to investigate.

Philippa Bond ● 4653d

I have to agree Os, where I live, three quarters of the close is now rented out, and mainly to shorted term tenants (or so they seem as there are constantly new faces). Where as before, there were long term tenants, who treated the properties as their own, ie did the garden, kept the outside of the house tidy, and spoke to you. Or home-owners. Now more than a few of the front gardens are overgrown, and more rubbish etc No-one really speaks except the older residents, and we have tried. The community feel has gone.

Jaz Brown ● 4653d

And what is our Government doing about this?

Philippa Bond ● 4653d

Andrew, the first thing that we notice is that the road is being littered with overfilled bins. Bins that belong to HMO occupants. When Plastic bottles drop out the wind rolls them to the end of the cul de sac. THE gARBAGE COLLECTING lorry backs into the Cul de sac the whole length of the street. The turning circle at the end presents a challenge for large vehicles attempting to make a turn around.Residents leaving for work each morning are held up because of the lorry. One side of the narrow road is a controlled parking area. The pavements on either side of the road is about a metre wide and has to be continuously mounted to scrape past if in a hurry.NOT an advisable manoeuvre. HMO residents are several families with children and though not unfriendly are in no hurry to Gell as we might put it.THEY OWN CARS TOO.The number of cars in use on the road has increased dramatically. Absentee landlords rent out their front parking spaces to shop-owners nearby.Frankly Andrew the whole developing situation is driven by Profiteers, atleast that is how it appears to be.This community has been fragmented and will get to be more so as people I know are considering their own remedies.eg  If we cannot beat them lets build extensions and get the hell out from here.I realise it is just frustation being voiced .Services by Ambulance has at times been delayed . Fire-Engines will undoubtedly be trapped out from an area if they were called to and incident at an awkward time. Like many ,I am unhappy until there is a viable solution.We have jointly asked the ward councillors to help as we understand another Absentee landlord is proposing to use an existing Family residence and add within it four self contained dwellings with further 2 storey extensions to the rear and sides.Nobody knows who he is or where he lives. RENTS ARE COLLECTED THROUGH AN AGENT.Making friends and do what?  let us see how this can be turned around to everyone's satisfaction

Os A Whittle ● 4655d

Interstingly it's being revealed that many of these multiple dwellings are only eligable for council tax as one household.So even though up to 12 people may be living in the property, only one rate of council tax is being collected.The use of council services in these multiple dwellings is also generally by nature, higher than average.So the authorities answer?Try to regrade single dwellings in more affluent areas, hitting elderly and long established residents perceived to be affluent because house prices have been hyped up in their neighbourhoods.This is of course wholly unsubstantiated and totally unfair. As those who have lived and stayed here often for generations have not had anything to do wioth hyping up the prices of properties.

Michael Brandt ● 4655d

That's unfortunate. Some will, though, and they're worth getting to know. I bet even those that don't seem to speak English at first bounce can probably talk about the weather - which is a great start (especially this weekend!).

Chris Gilson ● 4655d

Many of the HMO residents near me do not speak English.

Chris Bell ● 4655d

Communities change. As you say, people pass on, or leave the area for whatever reason. Ealing (and the rest of London) is currently experiencing a massive housing shortage, so much that most young people can only dream of owning a house all of their own.A greater density of occupation, like what you describe is occurring in your street Os, is a byproduct of this lack of housing. But that isn't necessarily a negative, as communities often benefit from an influx of new and different people. Have you thought of organizing a 'Getting to know you' style street party for your street and its new neighbours?

Chris Gilson ● 4655d

OS, has this multiple occupancy in your cul-de-sac happened suddenly or has it happened over a few years? Do the new residents cause any anti social behaviour?  7 houses out of 31 is a very large change - has this upset the hitherto tranquil ambience of the road?  Very concerning.

Gerry Tan ● 4655d

You now appear to be in a normal part of Ealing.

Chris Bell ● 4655d

What is the impact on your everyday life?

Andrew Mcauley ● 4655d