Views sought ahead of rogue landlord crackdown

The public has been asked to share their views as a council launches two consultations to crack down on rogue landlords.

Gloucester City Council wants to tackle the rise of unregulated houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) - a home where multiple people live in separate households with a shared kitchen or bathroom - in the city.

Although many were well managed, the council said HMOs could be overcrowded, contribute to waste problems and reduce affordable family accommodation.

The council has made two proposals: an additional licensing scheme for all HMOs, and a scheme requiring planning permission to convert family homes into small HMOs in six wards.

HMOs were linked to increased community complaints and anti-social behaviour, and put pressure on parking and council services, GCC said.

Gloucester has about 1,680 HMOs, but only about 340 of these are larger HMOs with five or more tenants, meaning they are licensed under the current mandatory scheme.

At present, only HMOs with five or more tenants require a licence. But the first proposal would mean all HMOs in Gloucester, along with certain poorly-converted buildings known as Section 257 HMOs, would need one.

The other proposal would require family homes in Kingsholm and Wotton, Westgate, Barton and Tredworth, Moreland, Kingsway and Elmbridge, to receive planning permission before being converted into HMOs.

News of the consultation comes after plans for a large HMO for students and professionals opposite Gloucester Rugby's Kingsholm Stadium were approved on Tuesday.

The building in Kingsholm Road has been refurbished inside, with outside refurbishment to take place, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Stuart Homewood, director of applicants Albion Quarters, said: "An eight-bed HMO occupied by single adults does not inherently generate activity beyond that of a large family dwelling."

Homewood said it would contribute to the housing supply and there would be a mandatory licence ensuring appropriate management and safety standards and responsible occupation.

The proposed planning permission requirements would not prevent new HMOs from being created but would look at their impact on issues such as local character, parking and waste.

HMOs can also reduce the supply of affordable family accommodation available, with landlords willing to pay more for new properties they can rent out to multiple tenants rather than a family, the council said.

It said it wanted to hear the views of residents, landlords, tenants, businesses, community organisations and stakeholders on the two proposals.

Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester City Council, said: "We recognise the role that HMOs play in Gloucester's housing market, but we also know that unmanaged growth and poor conditions can have a serious impact on tenants and the wider community."

There will be two public meetings on 15 April and an online event to gather views.

Both consultations will run until 11 May.