Philanthropists? No, they only want the money
ROGUE landlords running homes of multiple occupation are going under the microscope in a scrutiny probe.
South Tyneside Council’s Place Select Committee has launched the investigation despite there being a low number of private HMOs in the borough.
“There are responsible charities in this town who run HMOs very successfully, a big problem we have is when we have large Victorian houses which are sold off in rooms often to people with complex problems,” Coun Gladys Hobson said.
“Crime rates have risen in the borough because of this and we need to find some kind of solution. “
Coun Doreen Purvis also raised concerns about vulnerable people living in HMOs.
“A lot of owners of these properties are not in it because they’re philanthropists, they’re in it to make money and cram as many people in as possible,” she said.
“People are warehoused in these places and left there and there isn’t any effort to move them on or move them into independent living.”
Privately rented properties are on the increase in the borough with existing issues ranging from lack of choice to landlords refusing Universal Credit claimants, the meeting heard.
The private rented sector was also listed as a huge cause of homelessness in South Tyneside.
“As a local authority we don’t have a lot of powers to able to make private landlords deal with some of these issues,” operations manager for housing strategy, Anna Milner, told councillors.
“We have to go out and do more licensing but from a resource point of view, environmental health have to put additional resources into doing this.
“Although government might say we want fewer and fewer HMOs sometimes it’s all that people can afford.”
Committee chairman, Coun Audrey Mcmillan, also called for the council to monitor the HMOs.
While nine providers currently deliver the services for people with vulnerable and complex needs in the borough, a small number of contracts are “not fit for purpose”, commissioning lead for health and social care, Sarah Dean explained.
One of the main challenges around HMOs are people with mental health issues who are not recieving support, she added.
The council aims to explore a new model of working which will include contracts being reviewed and enhanced partnership work to reach the vulnerable.
While planners can’t enforce a “blanket ban”on HMOs, permitted development rights can be withdrawn.
The planned HMO commission will take place over several sessions and could start later this year.