Home Office drops plan to remove housing protections from asylum seekers

Draft policy to remove HMO regulations for landlords in England and Wales withdrawn hours before high court challenge

A controversial policy to remove basic housing protections from asylum seekers has been withdrawn by the government.

The policy, first disclosed by the Guardian, outlined a proposed removal of houses in multiple occupation (HMO) regulations for landlords accommodating asylum seekers in their properties. Non-asylum seekers are still entitled to access these safeguards.