Mansfield’s MP says residents of Princes Street, which has been described as ‘HMO Street’ in national media coverage, 'deserve evidence, followed by action’.

MP Steve Yemm (Lab) has been campaigning for tougher HMO laws for more than a year and has visited Princes Street to speak to the residents.

Last year he organised a debate on the issue in Parliament, where he spoke about his belief that there should be more control over HMOs.

Steve Yemm said: “The phrase “worst in the country” is not a claim I have made, and I have not seen reliable, like-for-like national evidence to support it. But that does not mean residents’ concerns are misinformation.

Steve Yemm and resident Marius Oprea after talking about HMOs on Princes Street. Photo: Submitted

placeholder image — Steve Yemm and resident Marius Oprea after talking about HMOs on Princes Street. Photo: Submitted

“People on Princes Street and elsewhere have raised real concerns about parking, waste, noise and the loss of family homes.

“My concern is about the impact of too many poorly managed HMOs in one area, not about the people who need affordable rooms or responsible landlords who provide them. HMOs have a place in our housing mix, but no street should be overwhelmed by them.

“I welcome the council's commitment to establish an accurate picture of how many HMOs there are and where they are concentrated. That work should be published promptly and lead to practical decisions, including whether stronger planning controls and enforcement are needed.

“Residents deserve evidence, followed by action.”

The council could consider introducing an Article 4 Direction, which would give it greater control over the conversion of ordinary homes into Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) by requiring planning permission.

Mansfield Mayor Andy Abrahams said: “There has been some recent publication in national papers and online that is misrepresenting our town.

“Mansfield is not ‘the worse place in the country’ for HMOs.

“We take these concerns really seriously, so I’m instructing our officers to undertake an evidence based exercise so we know the facts about Mansfield, we know the hotspot areas and then we can formulate a plan on whether Article 4 can be implemented in cities and towns across the country.

“HMOs have a valuable part to play in our housing strategy, not just in Mansfield, but across the whole of the country.”