Bath MP Don Foster is writing to the new Minister for Housing and Planning, John Healey MP, asking him not to let the response to this summer’s consultation on House of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs) drag.
Earlier this year, the government consulted on changing the use class order of HMOs which would, in effect, mean someone wishing to convert a family home into a HMO would have to apply for planning permission.
Oldfield ward Lib Dem Councillor Shaun McGall has been lobbying for changes to the law for a number of years. He said,
Where areas have a high concentration of HMOs it can add a number of strains to the community, for example in car parking and refuse collection. Councils have not had the ability to do anything about the rise of the HMO, meaning that communities, such as Oldfield Park, can change very quickly as private landlords buy family homes to convert. HMOs do serve a purpose, but they need to be controlled so that local communities aren’t damaged. That is why this government consultation is so important.
Bath MP Don Foster said,
This consultation was finished in August, but the new Minister doesn’t seem to have any expectation of when the findings will be published, partly because of the overwhelming response. I have written to him to stress the importance of this issue, which is affecting communities up and down the country. When we clearly need more affordable housing, it is important that councils have the power to prevent more family housing being converted into HMOs, especially in the most affordable areas of our city. HMOs should be spread across cities, not concentrated in certain areas which can have a massive effect on the local community.
Please see below for the full text of Don Foster’s letter to John Healey MP.
20 January 2010
John Healey MP
Minister of State (Housing)
Department for Communities and Local Government
Eland House
Bressenden Place
LONDON SW1E 5DU
As you know, before your appointment to your current post, your department ran a consultation on dealing with Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs), including the possibility of changing use class orders.
Having large concentrations of HMOs has a staggering effect on local communities, affecting waste collection, car parking and a whole host of other services. Along with this, many HMOs are occupied by students, and this can cause other issues, again especially when an area becomes densely populated with HMOs.
The increase in properties becoming HMOs is also taking away what were affordable, family homes from the market.
Despite this, there is currently very little in law that allows local councils to combat the rise in the HMO. Clearly they service a purpose, as many young people cannot afford to buy or rent a home on their own, but their density in certain areas needs to be controlled.
The consultation over the summer of 2009 provided real hope for a lot of communities, not least Oldfield Park in my constituency of Bath.
I would therefore like to urge you not to let this decision drag, it is very important to residents across the country. I very much look forward to reading your report on the consultation and hope that there will be positive news for those communities wanting to deal with HMOs.
Don Foster MP