On Friday, Sir Oliver Dowden MP once again met with residents and councillors Cllr Lynette Sullivan and Cllr Harvey Cohen in Potters Bar to discuss what he described as a rapidly escalating proliferation of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the town.

Sir Oliver thanked the local HMO group and residents for their continued efforts in raising concerns and for persistently keeping this issue at the forefront of local debate.

The meeting also reflected the ongoing work led by Cllr Sullivan and Cllr Cohen through Hertsmere Borough Council’s HMO Task and Finish Group, which has developed a series of key recommendations aimed at strengthening planning control, improving enforcement and protecting the character of local communities.

These recommendations include the immediate introduction of an Article 4 Direction, stronger HMO licensing requirements, and the appointment of dedicated council resource to ensure effective coordination of planning, licensing and enforcement activity.

Following the visit, Sir Oliver called for urgent action to implement these measures without delay.

Sir Oliver said the number of HMOs is increasing at an unsustainable pace and warned that without immediate intervention, the character of established family communities in Potters Bar could be placed under serious pressure.

He is calling for three specific actions:

• Immediate Article 4 implementation - He wants the Article 4 Direction in Potters Bar to be brought into force right away, ensuring that any new HMO would require planning permission without delay.
• Stronger HMO licensing rules - He is urging the council to lower the licensing threshold so that any property with more than three occupants must be licensed, instead of the current requirement that only HMOs with six or more residents need one.
• A dedicated HMO lead - He is asking the council to appoint a single officer responsible for coordinating all HMO‑related work, including planning, enforcement, and managing community impacts.

Sir Oliver said: “I once again met with residents and councillors Cllr Lynette Sullivan and Cllr Harvey Cohen in Potters Bar to discuss what is frankly the rapidly escalating proliferation of HMOs in the town.

I want to thank the local HMO group and residents for continuing to raise these concerns and for not letting this issue drop. Their persistence has been essential in bringing this matter forward.

The numbers are rising quickly and we need action now. Article 4 must be brought forward immediately, not in a year’s time. Licensing thresholds must be reduced so that smaller HMOs are properly regulated. And the council must ensure there is dedicated resource in place to take this issue seriously and manage it effectively.”

He added that Potters Bar is a family-focused community and that planning and licensing frameworks must reflect the need to protect its long-term character.

Cllr Lynette Sullivan, Leader of the Hertsmere Conservative Group, said: “This has been a key area of work for our Task and Finish Group with Cllr Harvey Cohen, responding directly to concerns from residents across Potters Bar.

We have brought forward clear recommendations on Article 4, licensing reform and enforcement capacity. It is welcome that Sir Oliver is supporting these proposals and adding his voice to the call for urgent action.”

Sir Oliver reaffirmed his commitment to continue working with Cllr Sullivan, Cllr Cohen and local residents to ensure the recommendations are implemented as a priority.