Government proposals to restrict house-sharing have been sharply criticised by landlords and student unions alike.
The government has recommended plans to give local councils powers to limit the number of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in a single area.
House sharing, whereby people that aren’t related live together in a single property, is a popular option for students and young professionals, but can prove a nuisance for locals who’ve complained that too many HMOs in a single location can lead to anti-social behaviour together with streets of empty houses for the duration of university holidays.
Even so, those opposed to the plan say the government proposals are discriminatory, affecting substantial numbers of students, young professionals and migrant workers.
Government proposals include limiting the quantity of properties in a single area occupied by more than six unrelated people.
In a report about so-called ’studentification’ last September, It was stated that, “Cities including Liverpool, Loughborough, Leicester, Nottingham, Southampton and Bristol have reported more empty properties during the summer months meaning shops, businesses, community facilities and pubs simply close down creating ‘ghost towns’.”
“In addition there can be anti-social behaviour, litter and parking problems during term time.”