Residents and councillors in Potters Bar say the rapid spread of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) is tearing their community apart, with many feeling powerless as family homes are converted into high-density accommodation.
Ken Winchester's barricade
Ken Winchester, 81, has erected a makeshift barricade in his garden to separate his property from the house next door, which is being converted from a bungalow into a building with multiple occupants. He claims workmen encroached on his land and showed the Express CCTV footage as evidence. The property, once home to an elderly man who died around two years ago, was bought by a developer about 10 months later. The applicant now seeks permission to use it as a larger HMO. Mr Winchester believes the house could hold 12 or more people, as he has seen double beds being carried inside.
Changing community profile
The retired engineer, who has lived in the area for nearly 50 years, said: "We've been here nearly 50 years, and obviously we know a lot of people here, but we see it when we go through the park. There's a different profile of people and you think, 'Well, you never grew up here, did you?' There's no prejudice about it. It's simply that in our dotage, if you like, I'm expecting an 82nd birthday, a dozen or more unconnected people, probably of a younger age group, causes us some alarm."
Concerns have been raised over migrants being moved into HMOs as asylum hotels close. Migrant Observatory figures suggest there were 24 asylum seekers in "dispersal accommodation" in Hertsmere as of March 2026.
Residents' fears and frustrations
Natasha Kitsis, 36, a mother working in advertising, is selling her house after being told a possible buyer wanted to convert it into an HMO for recently released prisoners. She said: "Please don't destroy my home. Yes, I need to move, but don't destroy the home." She added: "The community feel is just gonna go if we keep letting HMOs in. You're growing up not knowing who you're living next to."
Jim Hegarty, 44, who moved from Los Angeles two years ago, said: "It just seems like an exploitation of people, community and everything." He noted new houses are too expensive for first-time buyers, and existing properties "are being brought up because they're the cheapest and they can profit the most."
Alison Tiplady, 61, a retired HR manager who has lived in Potters Bar for 33 years, is concerned about the "transient nature" of HMOs. She said: "The infrastructure really doesn't exist. All these people have been shipped in from outside; they've got no support." She referred to figures from the Public Register of Licensed HMOs showing 97 in Potters Bar as of December 3, making up 56% of 173 in Hertsmere, while the town's 22,000 people account for only around 20% of the borough's population.
Parking and safety concerns
Brenda Bank, 85, said her daughter must park at a local Tesco and walk to her house due to limited parking, limiting visits to two hours. She said: "I believe in live and let live, but at the end of the day you've got to know who is going to be in these places. When I moved here, my husband and I couldn't believe our luck. The houses are lovely, but it's deteriorated."
A 53-year-old woman who wished to remain anonymous said she is disturbed late at night by HMO occupants and concerned about cannabis smoking and littering. She said: "I really, really don't feel safe anymore. I don't feel safe in my house. This was my forever home." She alleged a man had to raise his garden fence because HMO occupants were "leering" at his daughter.
Councillor's perspective
Conservative councillor Lynette Sullivan said: "Residents feel like they're at an absolute desperation point. They just feel totally powerless, and so do we as councillors." She added: "It's two or three developers from similar group companies who are buying up properties that need a bit of work doing, putting them up as HMOs. They're making over £1,000 a room per month. They get about £8,000 a month on some of these HMOs. It's an amazing business plan for them." She specified one case where multiple applications were submitted on different days to have different termination dates, saying: "They're completely just trying to bamboozle the planning process."
An HMO occupant's view
An HMO occupant who moved from Enfield after homelessness said: "Obviously, I would look scary to any local… Until you get to know me and speak to me." He sympathises with locals but added: "Normal people do have unfortunate circumstances, though. Maybe just say hello, and you can judge how someone is." He described his current housemates as "fairly normal" and said he cuts the grass and blends in. "I love it. You couldn't drag me back to Enfield; I'll never go back there again."
Political reaction and council response
Shadow Housing Secretary Sir James Cleverly said: "Labour-led Hertsmere council must do more to stop the area being overwhelmed by HMOs. It isn't right that communities have to face being changed almost overnight." He added: "Only the Conservatives will put local communities first."
A Hertsmere Borough Council spokesperson said initial analysis shows sufficient grounds to proceed with an Article 4 Direction within four wards in Potters Bar, which would require planning permission for any change of use to HMOs. The council has appointed a dedicated officer to lead this work. The spokesperson added: "HMOs form an important part of the borough's housing mix, particularly for students and residents on lower incomes. However, the council recognises concerns raised by residents about the loss of family-sized homes and the over-concentration of HMOs in certain neighbourhoods."
The applicant for the work next to Mr Winchester, Joseph Sonnenschein, said: "The existing HMOs operated by my company in Potters Bar are fully let to working professionals ranging from aviation engineers to nurses." He denied any encroachment onto neighbouring land.
A government spokesperson said: "Councils have powers to prevent too many HMOs being allowed in their area, including making sure each new one requires planning approval. We're exploring tougher rules to give local leaders more control over HMOs so they can protect the character of places like Potters Bar."
