Havering Council Hits Hornchurch HMOs, Car Wash with Jan 2026 Notices

Key Points

• Havering Council issued seven planning enforcement notices in January 2026 for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), car wash and tyre businesses, and residential properties.
• Four notices detailed publicly involve properties in Hornchurch: 3-6 Far Way, 84-90 Ardleigh Green Road, and 228 Hornchurch Road.
• Two enforcement notices issued on 15 January 2026 ordered the demolition of four homes at 3, 4, 5, and 6 Far Way, Hornchurch, claimed to be built and used as HMOs without planning permission, with owners given six months to remove the buildings.
• An enforcement notice lodged on 15 January 2026 against 84-90 Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch, a car wash and vehicle repair site, alleges operation and construction of structures without planning permission; owners must cease activities, remove equipment, and demolish buildings and hard surfacing within one week of the notice taking effect on 16 February 2026.
• No specific business named in the Ardleigh Green Road notice, but AutoDirect Ltd, listed on Google as an MOT centre, received a previous notice in December 2025 and did not respond to comment requests at that time.
• A 23 January 2026 enforcement notice ordered Hornchurch Tyres and others at 228 Hornchurch Road to stop tyre fitting, repairs, and storage operations, alleged to be conducted without planning permission.
• Three additional enforcement notices were issued by Havering Council in January 2026, but specific details on these remain undisclosed in available reports.
• All highlighted properties are located in Hornchurch, part of the London Borough of Havering.

Hornchurch, London (East London Times)  February 2, 2026 – Havering Council has launched a robust crackdown on unauthorised developments in the opening month of 2026, issuing seven planning enforcement notices targeting houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), car washes, tyre businesses, and residential properties. Among these, four high-profile cases in Hornchurch have drawn significant attention, with orders ranging from full demolitions to immediate business cessations. The actions underscore the council’s commitment to upholding planning regulations amid rising concerns over unauthorised HMOs and commercial operations.

What Triggered Havering Council’s January 2026 Enforcement Actions?

The enforcement notices stem from alleged breaches of planning permissions, particularly the conversion of properties into HMOs and the operation of businesses without requisite approvals. As detailed in reports from the Romford Recorder, Havering Council’s planning enforcement team acted decisively in January 2026 to address these violations.

For properties at 3, 4, 5, and 6 Far Way in Hornchurch, the council issued two enforcement notices on 15 January 2026. According to the Romford Recorder article titled

“Far Way, Hornchurch: Homes face enforcement action over HMO fears”

[ from prior context, adapted from query], the notices claim these four homes were built and used as HMOs without planning permission. The orders mandate the owners to demolish the structures entirely within six months from the date of issuance.

Similarly, on the same date, 15 January 2026, an enforcement notice was served against the site at 84-90 Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch, as covered in the Romford Recorder’s follow-up piece

“Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch: Car wash ordered to stop”

[ from prior context]. The notice alleges the site was operating as a car wash and vehicle repair business, complete with built structures, all without planning consent. Recipients are required to halt all activities, remove all equipment, and demolish buildings along with any hard surfacing within one week after the notice takes effect on 16 February 2026.

Which Businesses Were Targeted at 228 Hornchurch Road?

A further notice dated 23 January 2026 targeted 228 Hornchurch Road, Hornchurch, focusing on tyre-related operations. The Romford Recorder reports that Hornchurch Tyres and associated parties at this address were ordered to cease all activities, including tyre fitting, vehicle repairs, and storage, deemed to be conducted without planning permission.

This action forms part of the quartet of business and HMO-related enforcements highlighted in local coverage, emphasising the council’s focus on commercial encroachments in residential zones.

No direct response from Hornchurch Tyres has been noted in the reports, mirroring the silence from AutoDirect Ltd regarding the prior December 2025 notice at Ardleigh Green Road. AutoDirect Ltd is identified on Google as an MOT centre operating from that site, though it was not explicitly named in the January notice.

How Many Notices Were Issued Overall and What Do They Cover?

Havering Council confirmed the issuance of seven planning enforcement notices throughout January 2026, encompassing HMOs, car washes, tyre businesses, and general residential properties.

While detailed rundowns are available for the four Hornchurch cases—3-6 Far Way, 84-90 Ardleigh Green Road, and 228 Hornchurch Road—the remaining three notices lack specific public breakdowns in the sourced reporting. These additional actions likely address similar breaches, reinforcing a borough-wide push for compliance.

The clustering of violations in Hornchurch highlights a hotspot for planning concerns, with all four detailed notices pertaining to this area. This geographical concentration may reflect intensified monitoring or resident complaints in the locale.

What Actions Must Property Owners Take?

Compliance timelines vary by notice. For the Far Way properties, owners face a six-month window to demolish the four homes entirely, a measure aimed at restoring the site to its pre-HMO state.

In contrast, the Ardleigh Green Road car wash recipients must act swiftly post-16 February 2026, dismantling operations, equipment, and structures within seven days to avoid further penalties.

At 228 Hornchurch Road, Hornchurch Tyres must immediately discontinue tyre fitting, repairs, and storage, with no grace period specified beyond the notice’s service date of 23 January 2026. Failure to comply with any notice could escalate to prosecution, fines, or court-ordered demolitions, as per standard council enforcement protocols.

Why Are HMOs and Unauthorised Businesses a Concern in Havering?

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) often raise issues of overcrowding, safety, and neighbourhood amenity in residential areas like Hornchurch. Unauthorised conversions, as alleged at Far Way, bypass regulations on fire safety, parking, and waste management, potentially straining local infrastructure. Similarly, car washes and tyre businesses introduce noise, pollution, and traffic without environmental assessments or community input.

Havering Council’s proactive stance aligns with broader London borough efforts to regulate HMOs amid housing pressures. The January 2026 notices signal zero tolerance for such breaches, protecting residential character and public welfare.

What Is the History of Similar Enforcements in Hornchurch?

Preceding the January actions, AutoDirect Ltd at 84-90 Ardleigh Green Road received a December 2025 notice, indicating ongoing scrutiny of the site. The business did not respond to comment requests from the Romford Recorder at that juncture, a pattern echoing the current silence.

No prior HMO-specific enforcements at Far Way or tyre operations at 228 Hornchurch Road are detailed in the reports, suggesting these may represent first formal actions. The rapid issuance of multiple notices in early 2026 points to an escalated enforcement drive, possibly spurred by resident reports or routine inspections.

Who Issued the Notices and What Is Havering Council’s Role?

Havering Council, the local planning authority for the London Borough of Havering, issued all seven notices through its planning enforcement team. The council’s website and public notices serve as primary records, with media outlets like the Romford Recorder providing accessible summaries and links to official documents.

As the statutory body, Havering Council investigates complaints, verifies breaches, and serves notices under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Recipients have appeal rights to the Planning Inspectorate, though no appeals are mentioned in the January cases to date.

When Do the Notices Take Effect and What Happens Next?

The Far Way demolition notices, served 15 January 2026, imply a deadline around mid-July 2026. The Ardleigh Green Road notice activates on 16 February 2026, with a tight one-week compliance window. The 23 January Hornchurch Road notice demands immediate cessation.

Non-compliance risks enforcement prosecution, costs recovery, and stop notices. Havering Council monitors adherence, potentially involving site visits or legal action. Residents and businesses may seek retrospective permissions, though success is unlikely for clear breaches.

Where Can Official Details Be Found?

Primary sources include Havering Council’s planning portal, linked in Romford Recorder articles such as Far Way enforcement and Ardleigh Green Road. These provide verbatim notice texts, recipient details, and timelines.

Local media coverage ensures transparency, attributing facts directly to council records. No statements from property owners or businesses have surfaced in reports as of 2 February 2026.

Impact on Hornchurch Residents and Businesses

These enforcements could reshape Hornchurch’s streetscapes, removing unauthorised HMOs and commercial setups. Residents may welcome restored amenities, though displaced tenants from Far Way face housing uncertainties. Businesses like Hornchurch Tyres must relocate or regularise operations promptly.