Nuneaton and Bedworth’s local authority is launching a new survey, including door-to-door questionnaires, to gather resident feedback on Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and their impact on communities. This initiative is part of a broader plan by the Reform administration to address long-standing concerns that have been frequently raised by locals.

Addressing Nuneaton and Bedworth’s HMO Issues

The Reform group, now the minority administration at the borough council, has identified issues surrounding HMOs as a significant concern for residents. As part of their initial 100-day plan, they committed to investigating these problems. Councillor George Finch, group and council leader, stated that these concerns are among the most frequently heard from the community.

Concerns about HMOs were previously debated at an extraordinary council meeting last summer. At that time, it was agreed that the council would explore the possibility of implementing an Article 4 direction. Such a direction would require individuals to obtain planning permission before converting a family home into a small HMO, a requirement not currently in place. However, no further action was taken on this matter at that point.

Consultant Advice and Next Steps

At a recent cabinet meeting, Councillor Shane Coates-Jarman, the cabinet member for planning, presented the findings of commissioned work and outlined the proposed next steps. Independent consultants advised that an Article 4 direction would not be suitable for the borough. However, they did recommend strengthening the council’s existing licensing powers.

Following this advice, the council has decided to conduct its own comprehensive survey. This will involve direct engagement with residents through door-knocking and questionnaires to gauge their feelings and experiences regarding HMOs. Councillor Coates-Jarman emphasized that no options are being ruled out at this stage.

The proposed survey and engagement process will require an investment of £40,000, which the cabinet has approved. Councillor Coates-Jarman highlighted the persistent community worries, stating, “Across the borough residents continue to raise concerns about the impact that HMOs are having on their communities.” He elaborated on these concerns, which include:

• Pressure on local amenities
• Parking availability
• Refuse and recycling management
• Instances of anti-social behaviour
• Changes to the character of established neighbourhoods

He further explained the purpose of the current stage: “If these concerns are wide-spread enough and supported by sufficient evidence that justify future intervention is precisely what this next stage has been designed to establish.” He acknowledged the consultants’ findings, noting, “The independent consultants have advised there is currently insufficient robust evidence to justify an Article 4 direction. As a responsible authority we must respect that advice however we also must recognise that many residents believe there is genuine impact being felt in their communities and expect the council to expect this properly.”

All findings from this new engagement process will be reviewed in February 2027 before any definitive decisions are made regarding future actions.

Broader Context and Resident Voices

Councillor George Finch linked the HMO issue to broader concerns about housing and immigration, stating, “We are seeing an increase in illegal immigrants housed in our borough, an increase in HMOs, which is worrying residents… We know first hand that we have to do something, we can’t just sit idly by and allow people coming into our area who are not known and are unvetted.” He expressed that the government is failing residents by allowing such situations.

Councillor Mike Bannister, deputy leader, echoed these sentiments, drawing a connection to national policies and their local impact. He stated, “The boats, the hotels and when that got sticky, in your street, in the house next door to you, to your parks, outside of your schools, we have no control that is why we are going down this route.” He expressed a desire for control over a situation he feels is “absolutely out of control” and lamented the changes in the town.

Councillor Keith Kondakor suggested that enhanced licensing is the most effective and quickest solution. He noted that properly licensed HMOs can provide valuable accommodation and ensure safety standards, such as fire safety. He pointed out that Article 4 is currently only applied in specific areas with high HMO density, like parts of Stockingford, where it is widely acknowledged as an issue.

Councillor Shane Coates-Jarman, whose own ward in Stockingford has a high concentration of HMOs, shared specific examples, such as “six or seven HMOs” on Eadie Street. He reiterated concerns about parking and anti-social behaviour, mentioning that residents feel unsafe visiting local parks.

Opposition and Engagement Strategy

Labour councillors expressed support for strong enforcement against rogue landlords and welcomed efforts to review HMO density to prevent issues like anti-social behaviour and parking problems. Councillor Brady Hughes questioned whether the £40,000 budget would be sufficient to capture the true scale of issues related to smaller HMOs.

Councillor Will Markham urged the cabinet to consider the problem of ‘sandwiching,’ where HMOs are situated on either side of existing family homes. Councillor Finch responded by describing the situation as “years of rot we are trying to sort out” and emphasized the need for residents to communicate their concerns directly.

The council plans to collect evidence through its new survey, with potential decisions being made by the summer of next year. The cabinet’s approval of the £40,000 spend marks a commitment to actively seeking solutions and understanding the community’s perspective on HMOs in Nuneaton and Bedworth.