Best city in England for HMO yield revealed
10 months ago
Councillor slams landlords for city’s HMO supply
9:58 AM, 17th June 2025, 10 months ago
7
A councillor has raised the alarm over the proliferation of houses of multiple occupation (HMOs), warning they could unravel the city’s community bonds.
The council’s cabinet member for housing, told the BBC that in some areas, nearly 50% of properties are HMOs, where unrelated individuals share living spaces.
Councillor Paul Drake-Davis sits on Hull City Council, and he described the situation as ‘tearing up the social fabric of streets and communities’.
He also urged stronger oversight of landlords to address ‘too many horror stories’.
High HMO demand
However, local developer and letting agent Jason Kay argues that demand for HMOs remains high, and easing restrictions could improve affordable housing standards.
He told the BBC: “We’re living in a society where people need this level of housing.”
He says that council restrictions hinder new developments, leaving substandard housing prevalent.
The National Residential Landlords Association warns that excessive regulation, coupled with high interest rates, inconsistent licensing, and punitive tax policies, is straining the rental sector.
Since 2018, legislation mandates licensing for HMOs with five or more residents from multiple households, requiring landlords to meet strict conditions and pass property inspections.
2,000 HMOs
Hull City Council estimates that around 2,000 properties qualify as HMOs, with 1,000 housing five or more people.
They require mandatory licensing, and another 1,000 HMOs accommodate three or four people.
Also, 1,550 buildings converted into self-contained flats may also meet HMO criteria under current laws.
The council enforces planning permissions in designated areas to control HMO growth.
Affordable HMOs
The experiences of Hull’s residents vary and one described disturbances from a neighbouring HMO, including ‘lots of fights and screaming’ and frequent police visits.
She also highlighted issues like dumped mattresses and fly-tipping in the area.
Another resident criticised the ‘big mess’ caused by some HMOs and one HMO tenant praised the affordability of the accommodation, with bills included in the rent.
Tags:
affordable housing, community impact, houses of multiple occupation, Hull City Council, Hull HMOs, Landlord Regulation, UK Housing Crisis
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Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1589
12:33 PM, 17th June 2025, About 10 months ago
The councillor should vent his anger at government. Successive governments have encouraged HMOs through their unfair tax regime and their failure to control the population explosion.
Member Since January 2016 - Comments: 473
12:39 PM, 17th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Well a quick dig reveals Hull charges a minimum of £850 per manditory HMO x 1000 gives £850000 at the very least or possibly well over a million so they can use that money to collect some mattresses and send someone to deal with the screamers.
Member Since April 2021 - Comments: 95
1:03 PM, 17th June 2025, About 10 months ago
The councillor should focus his energy on asking why is there such burgeoning demand for HMOs? And, what hand has his affiliated political party had in allowing such a demand to come about?
Easier to blame those landlords though.
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1447 - Articles: 1
4:20 PM, 17th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Where does he think single people who cannot afford to rent a place on their own, and want to not live with parents, are going to live?
There will need to be more HMO’s not less in the future
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1589
7:41 AM, 18th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 17/06/2025 – 16:20
HMOs should be in purpose built accommodation. Away from family homes and with sufficient car parking and waste collection services.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3538 - Articles: 5
9:40 AM, 18th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Just like Birmingham Council, always happy to take the stance ‘its wrong’ yet have still to give a response as to why they don’t them make it more attractive for LL;s to rent larger property to families directly?
The Council only has to say to a LL, we will take the property off you to so we can use it for people on the housing list – we give you X rent per month (market rate even), take it for 5 years, with no voids and they will act as a guarantor.
They fail to realise that if tenants DO look after the place there is nothing for a LL to claim from the guarantor. They can place families as they see fit and then move them on as they see fit (T only has a licence to occupy). They get flexibility, a cheaper housing solution (as opposed to costs of temp accomm), T gets a home and the house is retained as a family let.
LL happy no voids, no SL fee and has a guarantor.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 463
9:09 PM, 18th June 2025, About 10 months ago
These councillors and various “campaigners” attack HMOs, but why aren’t council housing departments and housing associations providing competition and running HMOs themselves?
Unemployed single people are some of the most vulnerable in our society, and people under the age of 35 are only allowed to have a single room when they claim benefits. So why does only the PRS provide HMOs?