'Bring back law on student houses'

COUNCILLORS in Leeds want to see to powers brought back to prevent the spread of student houses.

They want the local authority to apply for the reinstatement of powers that would force landlords to get planning permission if they want to turn family homes into shared houses – known as houses of multiple occupation (HMOs).

Until recently, councils had such powers, but the coalition Government revoked them, as part of a rethink on the issue.

The powers have been used in recent months in Leeds to control the spread of such properties in areas with large student populations such as Hyde Park and Headingley.

Last night councillors Martin Hamilton (Lib Dem, Headingley) and Richard Brett (Lib Dem, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill) said the uncontrolled growth of shared houses in the areas has led to serious problems with noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour.

Manchester City Council recently announced it would apply for an “Article 4 Direction” which would reinstate the powers and the two Liberal Democrat members are calling on council chiefs in Leeds to follow their lead. The direction will come into force in October 2011.

Coun Hamilton said: “It’s disappointing that the Government’s overturned the powers we had to control the growth of shared houses.

“The unchecked growth of these houses in the past has blighted local communities in areas like Headingley and Hyde Park.

“But Leeds City Council can apply for a legal order now to make sure that we get these powers back at the earliest opportunity.

“Taking this action now will also send an important message to landlords that we are still committed to tackling the blight of HMOs.”

Coun Brett added: “It’s not just North West Leeds that’s affected by this legislation. Inner city East Leeds also has a large number of shared houses.

“It came as a big shock and disappointment when the Government took away the powers that we’d been successfully using to control the number of these houses.

“The Government should do the right thing and let councils who want these powers back have them immediately.

“In the meantime, the council should act now to put pressure on the Government and let landlords know that this is still an issue we take seriously.”

Some landlords have complained that changes in the law for shared housing, recently revoked, were rushed and the implementation of the law by councils created confusion and placed unnecessary burdens on landlords.

In July a group of residents from Hyde Park told the city council that they needed help in beating anti-social behaviour and improving damaged community relations.

In October, the council responded to the delegation’s complaints in a report to its executive board.

On overcrowding, the deputation said “a major factor in Hyde Park’s suffering is its high level of population density”, a fact of life which the council admitted was unlikely to change in the near future in spite of efforts to stem the loss of family homes to student flat conversions.

The report concluded extra help may be needed to bring lasting improvements to Hyde Park.

A council spokesman said: “The recent change introduced by the secretary of state is subject to a legal challenge and we are currently awaiting the outcome.

“We have been discussing with relevant ward members how we approach this topic and will make our decision based on these factors in due course.”

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