The Welsh government has commissioned research into the impact of Houses in Multiple Occupation, especially in areas where there are high concentrations.
Carl Sargeant, housing minister in the Welsh government, says HMOs are an important contribution to the private rented sector in many parts of Wales but it's clear that high concentrations of them can affect the stability of the local community.
He says that while HMOs provide housing for specific groups, such as students, these homes are often lived in only during term time, when issues such as increased waste and noise can raise difficulties for permanent owner occupiers nearby.
I know many Assembly Members have received letters from residents concerned about HMOs in their areas and in towns with a large university population, such as Cardiff and Swansea, this is an issue for many people.
The study will review the different approaches taken by local authorities with high concentrations of HMOs before the research is completed early next year.
Meanwhile the Welsh government is also launching a consultation on the proposed model tenancy contract it is seeking to introduce as part of its Renting Homes Bill, which will be debated in the Welsh Assembly early next year.
There is a suggestion that there be two model tenancy contracts - the first is a so-called secure' contract based on the current model tenancy issued by local authorities and the second is the standard contract' modelled on the assured shorthold tenancy that is used almost universally in the private rented sector.
The discussion is not about specific wording but about the principle of how these two may be used in the Welsh PRS in the future. If agents want to contribute, more details can be found here: https://wales.gov.uk/docs/desh/consultation/140723-illustrative-model-contract-consultation-en.pdf
%20(002).png)
Comments