South Gloucestershire Labour wants to reassure residents in Filton that action is being taken to address concerns around Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs) in the ward.

Residents have raised issues around parking, waste, and the living conditions inside some HMOs.

Cllr Adam Monk and Cllr Alex Doyle, the Labour members for Filton, are spearheading the following actions:

• Reviewing whether it’s possible to lower the occupancy threshold for HMO licensing (in other words, the number of bedrooms allowed before a license is required). If this is possible, it would mean an increase of HMO licenses, which would in turn mean the Article 4 directive – which restricts HMOs – can be applied more effectively.

• Investigating what other HMO licensing conditions are available to South Gloucestershire Council to impose on landlords, to ensure properties are of a high quality and well maintained.

• Conducting walkarounds with Council officers to show areas of fly tipping on private property. Officers are now exploring what enforcement actions are available to tackle the waste.

• Asking the Private Housing Team at the Council to ensure claimed off street parking spaces are available to residents.

• Ensuring the Waste Management Team visits households where residents have raised concerns about waste presentation, so they can provide guidance and education.

• Requesting that the Council’s Scrutiny Commission sets up a Task & Finish Group looking at waste issues within and around rental properties.

Part of the reason why we’re seeing an increase of HMOs is the housing crisis – the lack of affordable homes for local people to rent or buy. The new government are making tackling this a priority and there is currently a national consultation on potential planning reforms.

South Gloucestershire Council and local councillors are responding to this and – along with our wider contribution – will include comments around the challenges faced locally around change of use. We encourage residents to participate too.

The new MP Claire Hazelgrove is supportive of all the above initiatives and has committed to raise the issue in her capacity too.

Cllr Adam Monk said: “The situation with HMOs in Filton continues to be a challenge. I’m proud to live here and this is something I’m committed to tackling, but I need residents to work with me.

“I ask for patience as I work with Council officers and other stakeholders to make the situation better. Things will not turn round overnight, but with the right things in place, they will improve.

“One thing I do want to say is that we must not demonise people living in HMOs. Everyone deserves an affordable, safe, good quality place to live. This work is about making Filton an even better place to live, and ensuring that the living standards inside HMOs are what we would all like and expect.”