Reform MP Lee Anderson has called for regulation of landlords and agents managing houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), telling the House of Commons the issue is “the management of them”.

Anderson, who is MP for Ashstead (main picture) said: “Anyone can set up an HMO overnight, with no qualifications, no training and no checks.:

He adds that investors are “filling them with people who, quite frankly, I do not want living in my community… They are filling our streets full of wrong ’uns.”

No checks

He said HMOs “should not be a problem; it is the management of them that is the problem.”

And he warned: “When we let six unrelated people – normally men – live together with no checks in place, what could possibly go wrong?”

Setting out proposals, Anderson said: “We could legislate… introducing licensing for HMO managers and owners; and qualifications, training and accountability.

Landlords and managers must also be held accountable for managing their properties.”

“Landlords and managers must also be held accountable for managing their properties, as well as for disruptive behaviour.”

Reform Deputy Leader Richard Tice added that the “proliferation of these houses in multiple occupation is leading to whole streets being transformed and communities being torn apart… leading to rubbish, mess, destitution, disruption and utter chaos”.

In response, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook said: “HMOs can play an important role in the housing market, providing relatively low-cost accommodation for rent,” adding it is “crucial that HMOs are safe and well managed”.

He pointed out that councils already have “robust powers to tackle landlords who breach HMO regulations”, including civil penalties, rent repayment orders and banning orders.