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Houses in Multiple Occupation
09 September 2020
Lead MP
Ian Levy
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Foreign AffairsLocal Government
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Ian Levy raised concerns about houses in multiple occupation in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Mr Levy moved a Bill to amend the law relating to the licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation, aiming to increase penalties for non-compliance and improve standards. He highlighted that HMOs provide cheap accommodation but often fall short on welfare considerations and community impact. Mr Levy argued for stricter checks and measures to ensure better safeguarding of tenants and advocated for greater powers for local authorities to address issues arising from large HMOs.
Ian Levy
Lab
Blyth Valley
Mr Levy stressed the importance of addressing poor-quality HMOs that exploit vulnerable individuals by providing substandard living conditions. He highlighted a minimum accommodation size regulation that permits two adults to live in just 10.22 square metres and pointed out the lack of police consultation on planning applications for large HMOs, despite their involvement in resolving resultant issues.
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.