Sheffield Green Party has welcomed the Government’s decision to introduce stronger planning controls on the number of properties being turned into bedsits and other types of houses in multiple occupation (HMO). The Greens called for tighter controls when a national consultation exercise was run last summer.
Green Councillor Bernard Little said, “Sheffield needs sustainable and balanced communities. Our universities are an asset to the city and students bring many benefits to local areas. But temporary residents may be less aware of the environmental services provided by the council, such as rubbish clearance. They also have rights to decent standards of housing. Landlords as well as residents have a responsibility to make sure properties are properly maintained and that the neighbourhood is a decent place to live in”.
He added “We believe that greater control of HMOs would bring considerable benefits for communities. Also, better enforcement of the rules regarding noise and other nuisance is needed.”
In their consultation response last year, the Greens argued that some areas were at risk of having too many temporary residents. They said that Sheffield Council needed more powers to control the numbers of properties being turned into HMOs.
ENDS
Notes:
Sheffield Green Party submitted a formal response to the consultation exercise
run last summer by the relevant Government Department, i.e. Communities and
Local Government.