Portsmouth MPs Amanda Martin and Stephen Morgan have agreed to continue working with local people to address rising Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) numbers in Portsmouth following an event in the city.
The HMO Community Forum, hosted at Mayfield School, brought together residents, local representatives, and community voices to share experiences and explore solutions to the growing number of HMOs and their impact on our neighbourhoods.
At the event, key information about the rise of HMOs in Portsmouth was discussed including some of the challenges our communities are facing—from parking pressures to noise complaints, rubbish, and the need for better enforcement.
The Forum also provided local people with an opportunity to connect with neighbours facing similar challenges.
According to the City Council, between 2018 and 2023, the number of HMOs in Portsmouth rose from an estimated 3,920 to nearly 6,000.
Commenting, Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said:
“Thank you to everyone who joined our HMO Community Forum to share their experiences, ideas and concerns.
“It was helpful to hear directly from residents about the growing impact of HMOs across our city and agree next steps together to ensure more is done to address this issue.
“The conversation is not over. We will keep working with local people to ensure their voice is heard and action is taken.”
Commenting, Portsmouth North MP Amanda Martin said:
“Since my election last July, I’ve raised the issue of HMOs with the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and others, leading to a meeting with the UK’s Chief Planner and the City Council.
“It’s clear from residents, officials, and myself that the council is simply not using the tools available to them to effectively manage HMO growth in our city.
“I share the concerns of local people and understand the impact HMOs can have on our communities, from fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour to increased pressure on parking and public services
“This Forum was an important step in bringing people together to share their experiences and push the council to act. I’ll continue standing up for Portsmouth residents to ensure we get the enforcement, updated HMO register, and support our neighbourhoods urgently need.”
Both MPs have created an HMO Action Pack with practical information on how to identify and report HMOs, what to expect from the Council, and how you can escalate concerns.
You can see Stephen Morgan MP’s HMO Action Pack here.
You can see Amanda Martin MP’s HMO Action Pack here.
