Anneliese Dodds, Labour’s candidate for Reading East, has warmly welcomed an announcement by John Healey MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, giving local Councils much greater powers to control HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation).

HMOs have been proliferating in many streets, particularly in the University area. Back in October 2008, Anneliese published a 12-point plan, Tackling Rogue landlords, Meeting Student Needs, most of which has now been implemented by Reading’s Labour Council.

This plan could only make use of the limited planning and licensing powers available. The new rules, in effect from April this year, will require landlords to apply for planning permission, for example, when a family home is made into a shared house, with three or more tenants who are not related.

Councils will also have extra flexibility to license landlords, requiring safe and quality rented accommodation in neighbourhoods where large numbers of substandard properties are creating community problems.

Anneliese says: “There are some streets in East Reading over-run by HMOs, sometimes of very mixed quality! These new powers will hugely strengthen the hand of Councils like Reading that recognise the need for HMOs, but want those HMOs to be properly planned, safe to live in and not a blot on the local community.

I will be urging Council leaders to start planning now to make the fullest possible use of them right from the start.

The picture shows Anneliese with Labour’s Katesgrove candidate Matt Rodda, Councillor Richard Stainthorp and local residents protesting against a new proposed HMO on Kendrick Road.