Portsmouth City Council has taken the unusual step of publicly commending its own policies regarding Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) within the private rental sector. The authority has highlighted its commitment to maintaining high living standards and controlling the spread of HMOs through strict planning rules and enforcement measures.
In a formal statement, the council expressed pride in being among a small group of local authorities in England that have implemented firm measures to oversee HMO development. These include robust local restrictions and planning guidelines aimed at keeping growth within manageable limits.
A council spokesperson noted that Portsmouth remains a leader at the national level in using every available mechanism to regulate HMOs responsibly. According to the statement, this approach helps to ensure that shared accommodation meets both safety and quality standards for residents.
The spokesperson also revealed that senior council officials have engaged directly with the government’s Chief Planning Officer and representatives from the Planning Inspectorate to discuss the city’s policies. Importantly, no objections or concerns were raised during these discussions, suggesting that Portsmouth’s approach aligns with wider regulatory expectations.
However, the Portsmouth & District Private Landlords Association (PDPLA), which represents many local buy-to-let operators, has not always agreed with the council’s stance. One of the main points of contention has been the actual number of HMOs in the city, with landlords challenging the council’s estimates.
In a statement released two weeks ago, the PDPLA questioned the council’s long-standing claim that there were around 6,000 HMOs in Portsmouth. According to the association, recent licensing data shows that there are fewer than half that number, with only 4,309 HMOs recorded five years ago and even fewer now.
The PDPLA argues that the figures being quoted by the council are outdated and no longer reflect the current situation. This discrepancy, they say, has added unnecessary tension between landlords and the local authority.
Concerns have also been raised about the accuracy of the information contained in the council’s HMO database. In a recent appeal to its members, the PDPLA encouraged landlords to review the online register and report any errors, whether that be properties wrongly listed as HMOs or those missing from the list entirely.
According to the association, the HMO register hosted on the council’s website had been “grossly out of date” for years. They welcomed the fact that the council has now merged records from different departments to produce a newly updated and more comprehensive online database.
Despite these criticisms, Portsmouth City Council has firmly defended its position. In a fresh statement issued this week, the authority reiterated that its policies are among the toughest in the country when it comes to controlling the creation of new HMOs.
Under national rules, new HMOs can generally be established without the need for planning permission. However, Portsmouth has operated a city-wide policy since 2012 that imposes strict limits, preventing HMOs from making up more than 10 per cent of residential properties within a 50-metre radius.
The council also maintains an accessible online register that includes both licensed HMOs and those granted planning permission. This is intended to help identify and address unlicensed or non-compliant properties.
Officials argue that this comprehensive approach ensures better oversight and helps tackle the challenges associated with high concentrations of shared housing in certain neighbourhoods. The policies, they say, have been consistently upheld and supported over the years.
By setting and enforcing such measures, Portsmouth City Council believes it can strike a balance between meeting demand for affordable shared accommodation and preserving community cohesion in local areas.
While debate continues between the council and landlord groups, the authority maintains that its commitment to high standards and responsible growth of HMOs remains a key priority for the benefit of residents.