The variety of homes in a number of occupation in England has risen by 2.3% over the previous 12 months, in keeping with evaluation by HMO administration platform COHO.
The firm’s analysis, primarily based on official knowledge, exhibits there are actually an estimated 472,823 HMOs throughout the nation, following an annual increase of practically 10,500 houses.
But there are vast regional variations.
The West Midlands recorded the strongest progress at 8.8%, adopted by London at 5.4% and the North East at 3.2%.
By distinction, numbers fell by 4% in the East of England and by 3.3% in the South East.
At an area authority degree, East Devon noticed the sharpest increase, with HMO numbers up 523% in the previous 12 months.
The determine in Wandsworth grew by 382%, South Staffordshire by 300%, Wolverhampton by 233% and Medway by 190%.
In complete, eight native authorities noticed their variety of HMOs greater than double.
Elsewhere there have been steep declines.
Welwyn Hatfield recorded a 73% fall and Watford noticed a 66% drop.
HMO numbers halved in Walsall and Sefton, whereas Reading, North Tyneside and Stevenage noticed declines of between 36% and 38%.
COHO says these regional disparities are the results of variations in native demand, planning guidelines and licensing regimes.
COHO founder and chief government Vann Vogstad says: “While it’s encouraging to see general progress in the HMO sector, the stark regional disparities elevate necessary questions on entry, coverage, and notion.
“HMOs play a significant position in the UK housing market.
“We are at a time when the necessity for good high quality, inexpensive, and well-managed shared housing has by no means been higher.”
He says progress in some areas and the sharp declines in others counsel that native attitudes, licensing regimes, and planning choices are creating an uneven enjoying area.
Vogstadd provides: “There’s additionally a wider concern round how the sector is being portrayed.
“The rise in stigma linked to latest political rhetoric round migrant housing and altering neighbourhoods dangers additional undermining public understanding of HMOs and their worth.
“If we permit concern and misinformation to form housing coverage, we’ll find yourself penalising the very mannequin that helps many individuals discover secure, sociable and inexpensive locations to dwell.”