Borough Council to start action against 'problem HMOs' with backing from Erewash MP Adam Thompson

Erewash Borough Council is beginning work to stop the spread of houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs) and action against HMO landlords who break the rules. This follows a significant growth in the number of HMOs over the past few years in both Ilkeston and Long Eaton.

The intention is to enact an Article 4 Direction across the entire urban part of Erewash – from the top of Cotmanhay to the bottom of Sawley. Council officers are already gathering evidence from across departments focusing on their impacts on living standards for the people who live in them, the wider community, and on the local housing market. 

This follows similar moves taken in Nottingham, Derby, and neighbouring Broxtowe. It is a significant piece of work – once evidence has been gathered and geography finalised, the council will send the plan to consultation, and then submit it to government for approval. Once approved, there is a required year-long implementation period. 

In the near-term, the council is to begin taking planning enforcement action against HMO landlords and developers who break the rules. A serious problem are conversions to ‘en-suite’ HMOs (illegal flats) and lack of adequate living space. 

Councillor Howard said: “Up until now, rogue HMO landlords and developers have had a free hand to do whatever they like – shielded from scrutiny because most HMOs don’t need planning permission. We’re taking action now to bring existing HMOs into line and make sure the rules are being followed. In the long-term, the only way to get this problem under control is to enact an Article IV – just like they have in Nottingham, Derby, and Beeston.”

Adam Thompson MP will back the new initiatives to make sure HMOs in Ilkeston and Long Eaton need planning permission and crack down against rogue HMO landlords and developers. This follows discussions he and his team have had with local people and the council. 

The MP first raised the alarm after residents on Bennett Street in Long Eaton highlighted that several properties were being converted nearby one-another all at once – with multiple skips, piles of building waste, and a portaloo all obstructing the road. Following this, Adam met with Erewash council officers, wrote to Derbyshire County Council, and sent members of his team to meet with people being impacted. 

An Article IV direction covering the entireties of Ilkeston and Long Eaton, along with Cotmanhay, Kirk Hallam, Sandiacre, and Sawley, is the only way to get a proper grip on this issue. That way, all new HMOs need planning permission – so they can be considered by the council, and local residents are notified and consulted. 

Planning enforcement action against existing HMOs is an important way of holding rogue landlords to account. HMOs should be properly licensed and good places for people to live, not squalid with people packed into cupboards or six people having to share a tiny kitchen. 

Adam said: “It had been described to me, but I was genuinely aghast when I actually went to Bennett Street and saw just how quickly everything was changing. I’m very glad to see the council taking action to make sure these places are actually fit for people to live in – homes, not prison cells. I know an Article IV takes a significant amount of time and is a lot of hard-work, but this is about taking the long-term steps to sort this problem out for good.”