Councils lack powers to control HMO spread, Commons debate reveals

Emma Lewell, Labour MP for South Shields, secured an adjournment debate on 25 June focusing on houses in multiple occupation. Local authorities told Parliament they struggle to manage HMO concentrations under the Housing Act 2004's licensing framework. The current threshold for designating additional licensing schemes is too restrictive to capture cumulative community impact, leaving councils with insufficient tools to respond to antisocial behaviour and residential pressure.