Public asked for views on plans to limit student lets
GLASGOW residents are being asked to take part in a consultation which could see property owners banned from renting out to students.
A committee has been set up by Glasgow City Council’s Licensing and Regulatory department to consider capping the number of licenses handed out to houses, flats, purpose-built student accommodation or hostels with multiple tenants.
Bosses hope to find out whether the negative issues associated with multiple tenancy properties can be attributed to higher concentrations of HMOs (House in Multiple Occupation) as opposed to tenanted properties or owner-occupied properties.
Antisocial behaviour of tenants, poor maintenance of properties, landlords unwilling to contribute to common repairs and accumulation of higher levels of household waste and bulk items in common areas have been linked to the high number of students in the city.
The problems were especially evident in the Anderston, City and Yorkhill ward which has the highest level of HMOs in Glasgow, with 45 per cent of citywide provision within the area.
As previously reported by the Evening Times, locals have opposed plans to build more student accommodation in the area after claims they are being ‘swamped’.
The issue has been raised by several local councillors, including Sandra White, Kelvin SNP MSP, who claimed that housing associations are priced out of the market as property developers snap up plots to build tower blocks for international students paying premium rents.
Glasgow City Council were given discretionary powers in 2012 under the Private Rented Housing (Scotland) Act 2011, to allow them to refuse to grant a HMO licence where it considers there is an over provision in the area.
They are now seeking views on whether they should exercise the power to stop residents having a negative impact on neighbourhoods throughout the city.
The committee is also keen to hear views on the impact that the growing number of purpose-built student complexes have on local neighbourhoods and on the city more generally.
The Committee said they are keen to ensure that future HMO policy is aligned to the needs of local communities – providing safe and suitable living accommodation to tenants whilst ensuring that the operation of such accommodation does not negatively impact local residents.
Anyone interested in sharing their views is asked to contact Mairi Millar, Legal Manager (Licensing) on mairi.millar@glasgow.gov.uk.