Council backs push for tighter HMO controls

Landlords in one city will face tighter controls on shared housing after councillors backed a motion to improve HMO regulation, amid complaints about overcrowding, poor management and disruption to neighbours.

Room sizes being compared with ferry cabins were among the concerns raised during a heated Hull City Council debate, which also exposed divisions over how many shared properties the city should accommodate.

Councillors heard that Hull has around 2,000 HMOs, with some streets reaching a concentration of 50%, according to Hull Live.

The motion, proposed by Labour councillor Shane McMurray and incorporating Liberal Democrat amendments, was approved.

However, the report does not set out an implementation timetable or the full wording of the measures agreed.

HMO management under scrutiny

Mr McMurray said residents living near concentrations of shared houses were bearing a disproportionate burden from noise, fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour.

He singled out supported living providers, questioning whether some were delivering the help their occupants needed.

He also claimed that some providers were receiving thousands of pounds a week to accommodate people with complex addiction needs while doing little to help them recover.

Mr McMurray also criticised absentee landlords and urged the council to move more quickly with its local plan.

Pressure to reduce HMO concentrations

Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Drake-Davis challenged Hull’s 50% threshold, arguing that the city should learn from authorities with tighter restrictions.

He pointed to Brighton, which he said had operated a 10% limit on HMOs in a street since 2013.

Labour group leader Daren Hale said the Article 4 controls introduced under his party’s previous administration needed to go further.

Larger conversions draw criticism

Labour councillor Karen Wood warned against demonising HMOs or asylum seekers, while questioning the quality and scale of some property conversions.

She said Hull’s large Victorian houses could be difficult to maintain but accused developers of prioritising returns over suitable accommodation.

She told councillors: “We are finding that developers that were originally asking for houses to be turned into three flats are now turning them into HMOs for 12 or more people.

“That means more rubbish, more parking and other problems.”