Concerns raised over increase in houses of multiple occupation (From Haringey Independent)

Concerns raised over increase in houses of multiple occupation in Tottenham

1:30pm Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News By Bruce Thain

People living in Tottenham have raised concerns about the increase in houses being converted into bedsits.

Houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) are properties which have been converted to increase their capacity with up to 15 people living in a two storey house at once.

People living in Tottenham and Seven Sisters have raised a number of concerns about the issue of overcrowded houses which leads to problems of anti-social behaviour, loud noise and rubbish.

Jim Cassins, chair of the South Tottenham Residents Association said: “These houses are a real issue for a lot of people living in this area and they’re very annoyed about it.

“People looking to make quick money are buying up these houses and then renting them out to ten, 15 people at once, all crammed into a small house.

“The landlords are buying up these family houses in family streets but renting them out to people who don’t care about the street they’re living in.

“It’s just not fair to the families who live in these roads. The noise and mess they make is just horrible.

“The anti-social behaviour they cause as well is dreadful. The people in the houses just don’t care about their neighbours.

“I think the landlords and agents need to be held to account and they should be responsible for the people that rent them and what they do to the houses.”

Last night it was announced that Haringey Council would be looking to introduce a new licensing scheme for landlords in Tottenham.

The proposed licence would come under the Housing Act 2004 which could make it an offence to have control of or manage a HMO which requires a licence but is not licensed.

It would also make it an offence if a licence holder fails to comply with the conditions of a licence.

The council hopes the moves will cut down the number of HMOs in Tottenham and proposals for the licensing of landlords will go before Cabinet on September 18.

Mr Cassins said: “When I heard about the possible licensing of HMOs I was very pleased and I know a lot of people will be happy about it because something has to be done.”