Road Closures next week – A442

Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO) have seen a huge growth over the past few years, and while it's a first step in living independently for many and a moneyspinner for landlords, some neighbours are less than enthusiastic. Affordable housing is a touchy subject in Telford. For many people living on their own there are few housing options. Rents for a 1 bed flat are starting at around £575 a month, plus bills whereas house shares in HMOs start at £400, including bills. A planning application to turn two houses next door to each other on Sutton Hill into HMOs caught my eye recently.The application was made by Jassy, Sidhu, a Midlands dentist who has got his teeth into property development through his Your Property Ventures company, and extracting himself slowly from the medical world. I listened to his podcast. I had no idea that there was a podcast on property development for dentists, but there is, and if Rachel Reeves is reading this, here's an idea for a tax raid that won't cause any tears. According to figures released this month by Telford & Wrekin Council, over 200 large HMOs are registered here in Telford with a capacity house over 1300 people. I created a heatmap so you can see where the hotspots are in Telford. Hit F5 if the blobs are not showing - you can zoom in to see where you live, too. The highest density is in Newport, which may look surprising of the face of it, but when you factor in Harper Adams hosting many students, it makes more sense, but there some other notable clusters including a large one in Hollinswood. However this isn't quite the full story. Because a HMO must have a licence if it is occupied by 5 or more people, not all HMOs are registered. Three bedroom homes where the living room has been converted into a fourth bedroom don't need a license from the Council. The total number of HMO's was thought be in the region of 550 back in 2021. I'm sure the number would have grown significantly. Not everyone likes living in close proximity of a HMO. Even Cllr Lee Carter, the Council Leader, objected to the planning application for one in Wellington in May 2025. The planning portal provides an insight into what other residents think about living near HMOs. Parking seems to be major factor.." there is not enough parking" - Malinslee "Parking is bad enough as it is" - Wellington However, some people are objecting on the basis of the people who may, or may not, be moving in."I feel it is not appropriate to have so close to a school" - Sutton Hill "I don't want more HMO's this place is already becoming untidy as it is and the amount of trouble we get from randoms in and out of the ones nearby,even the thugs in the bail house have forced neighbours to leave for the safety of there kids" - Sutton Hill " As with many old estates, there is an increase in property disrepair from disinterested rogue landlords and a lack of parking for residents....Both my sons have resided in HMOs in the past and both found the experience horrendous" - Sutton Hill " I have a handful already around me including a prison bail house that cause enough trouble as it is, we need our family estate back" - Sutton Hill"We have enough HMO’s on this estate and another would only add to the problems we already have " - Sutton Hill "Scared of drug takers I am disabled myself and there is loads of elderly people around" - Sutton Hill All these objections, and more, and a petition signed by locals in biro which runs to two pages were received by Telford & Wrekin Council over the last couple of months for these two properties on Sutton Hill. Planning was granted on 17th July. Have you lived in a HMO? Do you live near one? Do you own one? What are your thoughts?

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