Don Foster MP
Graham Watson MEP
Who's My Councillor?

BathNES Liberal Democrats

Serving Bath and North East Somerset

Working For You - All Year Round

Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

"The Liberal Democrats are commited to a better quality of life for all our residents...

Sadly accross many parts of Bath, especially the Oldfield Park area, there has been a huge spike in the number of HMOs in the past 10-20 years. This has caused a series of complicated, interlinked problems. Cllr Will Sandry has written an excellent Q&A below which sets these out in a clear way.

We are calling for an Article 4 Directive which will stop our roads being filled with HMOs, leading to a better sense of community, and e are calling for robust licensing. This licensing will ensure that the standard of Housing that Landlords offer will be higher.

In these economically difficult times we must ensure that there is sufficient housing for young professionals and students but witout negatively impacting on other residents.

...The Article 4 and licensing will raise the standard of housing in our streets."

Cllr Ben Stevens

Ward Councillor for Widcombe

Member Champion for Graduate Retention, Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Houses of Multiple Occupation

HMO Q&A;

by Will Sandry

What are homes in multiple occupation (HMOs)?

Any home with 3 or more un-related people living together who share a kitchen and bathroom, but each have a separate bedroom.

Are homes in multiple occupation a problem?

Yes and No. There is a shortage of all types of housing in the UK.

Lib Dems make progress on HMOs

by B&NES; Lib Dems

Councillors in Bath have welcomed yesterday evening’s decision by the new Liberal Democrat administration on B&NES Council to allocate funding to start tackling the issue of over-concentration of shared housing (also known as houses in multiple occupation or HMOs).

The funding is a step towards the Council taking on new powers to require planning permission for homes to be converted to shared accommodation through a so-called Article 4 Direction.

Oldfield Councillor, Will Sandry (Oldfield), commented

“I am delighted that the new Liberal Democrat administration on the Council has made it a priority to take action on the issue of HMOs.