Portsmouth City Council today spoke about its approach to the management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the city under existing government policies.
Portsmouth City Council is proud to be one of a small minority of local authorities in England that has taken decisive action to manage the growth of HMOs through robust local legal restrictions and planning policies.
Cllr Hugh Mason, Cabinet Member for Planning Policy & City Development said:
“Portsmouth remains at the forefront nationally in using every available tool to responsibly manage HMO growth and ensure safe, high-quality living standards for residents.
“Senior officers from the Council have met with the Government’s Chief Planning Officer and the Planning Inspectorate. No issues were raised about our approach to HMOs.”
While national legislation allows new HMOs to be created without planning permission, Portsmouth has enforced a city-wide policy since 2012 that controls new HMOs, preventing these from exceeding 10% of residential properties within a 360 degree 50-metre radius. The Council also has an online register of licensed HMOs and those with planning permission to address unlicensed HMOs. This is one of the strictest HMO control regimes in the country and has been consistently upheld.
The Council also recognises the need to protect community balance and residential amenity. In addition to planning controls, Portsmouth introduced an Additional Licensing regime in 2023, ensuring every HMO meets a set of consistent standards that mean landlords are held accountable for providing quality homes and responsible management of them.
HMOs also play a vital role in providing low-cost rented housing in a city where local demand mirrors the national high demand and limited affordable housing supply. By sharing living space, young working professionals, key workers, graduates as well of those on low incomes can rent rooms at a lower cost than renting entire properties, and often utility bills are included, providing financial predictability. Furthermore, HMOs can aid social interaction and a sense of community, which can be particularly beneficial for those new to an area.
The Council’s Private Sector Housing Team offers support to residents who have concerns about HMO’s and can be contacted by at hmo.licensing@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call on 023 9284 1659