Pressing for early use of new HMO powers
3rd February 2010
At Prime Minister's Questions today, Alan Whitehead MP asked Gordon Brown to encourage local authorities to take up new powers to regulate Houses in Multiple Occupation. The new powers announced last week come at the end of a five year campaign Dr Whitehead conducted to address the impact and condition of rented housing in Southampton.
Does my Rt Hon Friend welcome new proposals for planning and licensing in respect of HMOs announced last week? Will he urge Local Authorities such as Southampton where there is a substantial HMO sector to make early use of the powers this will attain?
The Prime Minister responded by praising Dr Whitehead’s work on this issue and gave a firm commitment to encourage councils to use the new powers at their disposal.
Speaking after the exchange the Test MP said:
“I am very pleased with the Prime Minister’s positive response. Currently Southampton City Council use the weakest possible form of HMO licensing and I hope they will listen to the Prime Minister’s call to use their new powers to tackle planning and licensing, and sometimes bad landlords that cause problems for students and residents alike in Southampton.”
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