A south coast council is set to clampdown on HMOs after a report highlighted alleged issues with the likes of bins, parking and anti-social behaviour.
Eastbourne council says it recognises the valuable role played by HMOs, but also warns that they cause concern in communities, often as a result of higher concentrations of this type of housing being located in the same area.
Councillor Stephen Holt, council leader, says: "There is no doubt that HMOs are an important housing option in the town, especially for people on lower incomes or those working on a short-term contract. However, there is also evidence that in some locations they attract anti-social behaviour and the condition of properties can fall below acceptable standards."
A report being considered by councillors cites the loss of family homes when houses are converted into HMOs, sometimes bringing issues such as local parking problems and overflowing bins.
A statement says councillors will now consider what “interventions” are appropriate to address the negative impacts of HMOs in Eastbourne.
Councillor Peter Diplock, cabinet member for housing, adds: "Whether through new planning policy, a change in how permission is granted for HMOs or more robust licensing and enforcement, there are various options open to us.
"Whatever steps we take, we will be very careful to not adversely affect the positive role that HMOs play in the mix of available accommodation. Our focus will be on raising standards inside and outside the premises, so the unwelcome issues the report highlights are tackled."
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I'm not an HMO landlord however without HMOs there would be many more homeless and sleeping in shop doorways what effect would that have on anti social behaviour ?
And a lot less people who travel for temporary / seasonal work.
I don't own and don't want to own any HMO's. I've stayed in them when I was younger and did contracting work in Aircraft maintenance.
Without them the companies would not have been able to recruit staff from other parts of the country.
Like them or hate them, they serve a purpose and without them the UK will struggle to get the right staff in the right place.
I own a block of flats which is a converted Georgian townhouse, all the bins used to be perfectly lined up and not a single issue. Since the councils thought it was a good idea to have four different coloured bins for every unit there is chaos.
HMO’s are badly needed yet this guy talks about bins, parking and anti social behaviour, all of which are problems the council and police themselves have ample powers to correct.
Todays need is for ‘roofs over heads’ provided by the PRS.
Councils and the police should ‘ do their jobs’ and go after the perpetrators of these problems and NOT the providers of housing
Call them out!
Sadly these days it seeems Councils and police go after the easy targets. Just look at the marches in London. Who gets arrested? The guy with the poster stating the governent position that Hamas are terrorists.
The same with councils. For clawback or council tax who do they go after? The landlords because they are the easy target. We regularly have "disscussions" with Bristol council when tenants state they left before the actual end of the tenancy. Who do the council believe? The tenant of course.
Bristol County Council have the most confusing recycling practices. Too many bins and boxes so the tenants give up. North Somerset more straightforward and they have higher recycling stats.
That's exactly it, make it difficult and people won't bother
Politicians totally abrogating their responsibilities, looking for a scapegoat, and someone to fleece.
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