News
Shared housing crackdown
Rules around houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) were widened under Labour in a move heavily criticized by landlords, the National Union of Students and the Conservatives themselves.
Previously, in a written statement while in opposition, Grant Shapps said: “While councils need powers to tackle the excesses of slum landlords, this is a state sledgehammer to crack a nut. Labour have already kicked the housing market by imposing the red tape of Home Information Packs. Now they want to cripple the fragile market with even more regulation. Tenants will lose out, as these new costs will reduce the supply of housing and drive up rents.”
He added: “There is already public alarm at Labour plans for an intrusive council tax revaluation and inspections of family homes. Now Labour are giving even more powers for town hall snoopers to barge into people’s bedrooms and rifle through their underwear drawers.”
However, speaking in parliament today, Shapps has said he was keen to have HMO controls in areas with studentification problems, but wanted to review the current legislation to ensure it is not too overarching and leading to problems in areas that don’t have those issues
The law – which was passed through Parliament as a ‘statutory instrument’ without a debate – was a massive blow to certain groups who enjoy the benefits of HMOs. Council snoopers are to be allowed to enter homes with just 24 hours notice and without needing a warrant if they suspect people are living in breach of planning laws.
Ian Fletcher, director of policy at the British Property Federation, said “Revoking the half-baked HMO planning legislation slipped in at the death by the previous Government was a pre-election pledge of the Conservatives. We hope this will be pursued swiftly as it is leading to confusion unnecessary bureaucracy and expense at local level and ultimately affordable homes for those in need. If the Minister wants to replace it with something better targeted then that is his prerogative, but the clear message from landlords is the current system is a dog’s dinner and time is therefore of the essence.”
More than 20pc of rented homes are shared according to government figures, although this figure is much higher in towns. Major city economies such as London rely heavily on HMOs to meet housing need
due to house prices remaining largely unaffordable. HMOs are often the most affordable source of accommodation, housing students, key workers, journalists and other groups who earn too much to qualify for social housing but not enough to buy.
The change in the law will let local authorities limit the concentrations of HMOs. An HMO for planning purposes will be defined as a house occupied by three or more unrelated sharers. Planning permission might be required where a house previously occupied by a family is rented out to three or more unrelated sharers.
Post a Comment on this News Article.