Jo Platt

It is an honour to serve under your chairship, Mr Dowd. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Steve Yemm) for securing this important debate. In my constituency, the rise of HMOs is a growing concern. As other Members have said, HMOs provide vital accommodation for key workers, students and single people; however, we must confront the reality on the ground. In Leigh town centre alone, there are over 30 registered HMOs that we know of. Residents are rightly worried about overcrowding, noise, waste issues and pressures on public services, which is why I joined local councillors to campaign for a borough-wide article 4 direction. That is now in effect, giving communities a voice, and some applications have rightly been refused. We also need national action. Councils are asking how they hold the landlords of smaller HMOs accountable. What powers do they have to intervene? How can they get a sense of the scale of the issue when, currently, smaller HMOs can escape scrutiny? This must change. Will the Minister consider giving councils the power to retrospectively require all HMOs to join a register, and support comprehensive licensing for HMOs, regardless of their size? A full register would improve oversight, uphold safety standards and help to reduce antisocial behaviour. It would also allow planning departments and residents to understand the true cumulative impact, especially in areas that are at risk of oversaturation. But this will require resources. Councils need support from the Government to implement and enforce changes. Ultimately, HMOs must be safe, respectful and properly regulated. They must not erode our communities or compromise the wellbeing of residents. People in Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley, Lowton and Golborne deserve a say in shaping their neighbourhoods.