Parliament Petitions Target Landlords And HMOs

A new Parliamentary petition is seeking a ban on converting family homes into shared houses in multiple occupation (HMO).

Petition organiser Deborsh Kay Llewellyn wants the government to introduce a new law to stop developers and private landlords from switching homes into HMOs - including former local authority homes.

So far, the petition, which is open until April 2, 2026, has garnered 400 signatures.

Meanwhile, the strength of opposition to HMO conversions was voiced by MPs at a Westminster debate concerning planning consent for shared homes.

The debate was led by Mansfield MP Steve Yemm, who argued that too many HMOs in a neighbourhood can lead to parking pressures, more rubbish, extra noise and a loss of community as tenants only stay in HMOS for short periods.

The MPs called on the government to give councils more control over HMO planning consent; introduce a national framework to stop over-concentration of HMOs in designated neighbourhoods, and to help councils to better enforce planning and licensing rules.

Landlord ban for MPs?

A new petition is backing a new law banning sitting MPs from acting as residential landlords.

Organiser Brendan Keenan explains he believes MPs who profit from rental income could have a conflict of interest when voting on housing matters in Parliament.

He said: "We believe MPs who are landlords have a direct financial interest in housing policy, which could create conflict when debating issues like rent control, eviction law, and housing standards.

"We feel public representatives should not personally profit from the housing market while shaping it. Banning MPs from being landlords could ensure decisions are made in the public interest, restore confidence in Parliament, and promote transparency and integrity in housing policymaking."

The petition closes on May 25, 2026.

Another new petition wants a new law to enable landlords to sell tenanted homes directly to the government rather than evict the tenants. Organiser David Simmons claims the policy could bring down rents and reduce homelessness.

The petition is open until March 10, 2026.

Parliament's open landlord and property petitions

Read on for links to open petitions before Parliament highlighted for landlords, property
Professionals and renters.

• Create and fund a third-party regulator scheme for service charge disputes 2,061 signatures
• Ban family houses from being converted into Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) 400 signatures
• Commit to not increasing taxes or imposing additional taxes on landlords 292 signatures
• Make it a criminal offence to enter a domestic dwelling without permission 162 signatures
• Ban Members of Parliament from being residential landlords 68 signatures
• Reform tax rules so rental income is taxed on profit, not revenue 58 signatures
• Require landlords to sell vacant properties to house homeless and refugees 42 signatures
• Legislate to allow landlords to sell properties directly to the government 24 signatures
• Stop Ltd companies offsetting loan interest or other expenses for rental income 17 signatures

Petitions collecting 10,000 signatures will receive a formal government written response, while petitions grabbing more than 10,000 signatures are considered for debate in Parliament.

Parliament keeps petitions open for six months.