Welcome to the Website
of the
NOTTINGHAM ACTION GROUP ON HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION
 

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Zagreb Monday 16 July 2018


THE NAG
WHO ♦ WHAT ♦ WHY ♦ HOW?
 


“We are the music-makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams, ...
... Yet we are the movers and shakers,
Of the world forever, it seems.”

[Arthur O’Shaughnessy, Poems of Arthur O’Shaughnessy]

We are residents living in neighbourhoods from across a large part of the City of Nottingham (Sherwood, The Arboretum, Hyson Green, Radford, The Park, Lenton, Dunkirk, The Meadows, Wollaton Park, Wollaton, Lenton Abbey), and also in Beeston and West Bridgford.

Although our neighbourhoods are as different from one another as we are, what they have in common are the problems caused by increasing concentrations of so-called 'Houses in Multiple Occupation' (HMOs) - shared houses with absentee landlords and short-term, highly transient tenants.

What we have in common is the feeling that as individual residents we run the risk of having little or no say in what primarily local and national government, our higher education establishments, developers, investors, and others are planning and doing, even though their decisions directly affect us and the future of the neighbourhoods in which we live. As individuals we feel we have little or no voice. However, we believe that coming together as a group gives us a voice.

In February 2004, we did get together and formed the Nottingham Action Group on HMOs – the NAG – not a nice name, but appropriate. What has been happening to our neighbourhoods is not nice for those who live in them, or for their futures, and we are ready to nag and keep on nagging to get things done.

Whilst we cannot change what has happened, perhaps we too can become not just the 'dreamers of dreams' but also the 'movers and shakers', and, by influencing what may be going to happen, so help shape the future of our neighbourhoods.

For the NAG that future needs to be neighbourhoods that are resilient, balanced and sustainable, and where people feel happy to put down roots and contribute to the future of the City of Nottingham as a whole. In other words:

‘... places where people want to live and work and learn, now and in the future. ...'



WHAT IS A HOUSE IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION (HMO)?
 

An HMO is often also known as a 'shared house'. Put as simply as possible, an HMO is a building, or part of a building, occupied as a main residence by more than one household where a 'household' can be one person or several people provided that they are related to one another. So, for example, a home is probably an HMO if 

•three or more unrelated people live there as at least two separate households, and

•the people living there share the same amenities such as a kitchen and/or bathroom.

For more information about HMOs and about legislation relating to HMOs, we suggest you take a look at these websites:

http://www.hmolobby.org.uk

http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/HMO 

Also, Nottingham City Council publish a regularly up-dated Register of Licensed HMOs, which can be downloaded by following the links in: 

http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/housing/private-sector-housing/houses-in-multiple-occupation-hmo/licensing-of-houses-in-multiple-occupation/


REPORT A ROGUE LANDLORD

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If you want advice or help relating to the condition and management of your privately rented property

Visit:
www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/article/29046/Report-a-rogue-landlord-or-problem-with-your-private-rented-property
E-Mail: environmental.health@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Telephone: 0115 915-2020 (Option 4)
Write to: Environmental Health, Community Protection, Nottingham City Council, Loxley House,
Station Street, Nottingham NG2 3NG


FOR YOUR DIARY
 

NAG MEETINGS & EVENTS

January 2018 NAG Open Meeting: Notes of Meeting Now Available

Notes of this meeting, held on Friday, 26 January 2018, are available to read and to download when you open this page.


NATIONAL, NOTTINGHAM & NEIGHBOURHOOD: MEETINGS, EXHIBITIONS, CONSULTATIONS & EVENTS

18 July to 26 July: 'Mastered' - a Nottingham Trent University Exhibition

Mastered is an exhibition of work by NTU's School of Art & Design postgraduate students who come from across the globe. Th exhibition is at the Bonington Building, NTU's City Campus.

Friends of Jubilee Campus Public Events 2018

Thursday 30 August 2018, 6.30 pm to 8.15 pm, Bat Walk with Paul Stone. As the sun sets enjoy an approximately one hour gentle walk, enjoy the night sky and see what there is to discover. Charge £3.00 per person. Booking required.


NEIGHBOURHOOD: PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCY ADVICE,
WARD MEETINGS, WARD WALKS & WARD EVENTS

Nottingham East Constituency: Contact information for Chris Leslie MP.
Nottingham South Constituency: Contact and constituency advice surgery information for Lilian Greenwood MP.

Dunkirk & Lenton Ward (D&L): Ward Walk: Wednesday 8 August 2018, 9.30 am Penn Avenue area, meet at the Penn Avenue car park. Ward Councillors' Surgeries: Lenton Centre, 6.30 pm second Tuesday of every month; Dunkirk Community Centre, 7.00 pm, fourth Friday of every month.

Wollaton East & Lenton Abbey Ward (WELA): Ward Walk Monday 16 July 2018, 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm, Scalford Drive, Dorket Drive, Charnock Avenue, Wollaton Park Estate, meet at the corner of Scalford Drive by Hawton Spinney.

WELA Councillors' Monthly Update: WELA_Councillors_Update_June_2018.pdf


NEWS DESK
 


NATIONAL NEWS

'Binmageddon' - Streets Turned into 'Dumping Grounds' When Students Depart

BBC News (Tuesday 10 July 2018) reported that residents in Birmingham, Coventry, Manchester and Leeds have complained about their streets being turned into a dumping ground by students and irresponsible landlords.

More Security Proposed for People Renting In England

BBC News (Sunday 1 July 2018) reported that Government proposals to set a minimum tenancy term of three years would give more security to people renting homes in England. A consultation on the minimum tenancy term will run until the end of August 2018. Mattha Busby, writing in the Independent on Sunday 1 July 2018 on the same subject, outlined Labour's view that, whilst welcome, the proposals are 'meaningless if landlords can still force out tenants by hiking up rents'.

Government Issues Guidance on Implementation of Extension to Mandatory HMO Licensing

Government has issues guidance to local authorities on the implementation of the extension to Mandatory HMO Licensing, which comes into force on 1 October 2018.

World Cup: Japanese Supporters Set an Example

Andreas Illmer (BBC News Wednesday 20 June 2018) reported that, after their opening World Cup game against Columbia (which they won), Japanese fans, who'd brought along large rubbish bags for the purpose, cleaned up their rows and seats in the stadium, leaving it as neat as they had found it. Is this a lesson to be learned with wider applications than a game of football?

Leicester Curb Letting Boards

in BBC News, Tuesday 12 June, Callum McKenzie reports that Leicester City Council has been granted powers to curb letting boards

 

NOTTINGHAM NEWS

Landlords Calling on Government to Review New Nottingham City Council Selective Licensing Scheme

Matt Jarman (Nottingham Post Friday 6 July 2018) reported that landlords are calling for the Government to step in and review Nottingham City Council's selective licensing scheme, which starts on 1 August 2018, and which is part of the Council's plans to drive out private rented sector 'rogue' landlords.

Consultation on Proposals for Additional Licensing for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) 2018

The current five-year additional licensing scheme for HMOs will come to an end shortly. Nottingham City Council is looking to introduce a new scheme, and is carrying out an on-line consultation on its proposals. The consultation with end on Tuesday 10 July 2018. All residents, tenants, landlords and letting agents are encouraged to submit their views.

End of Exams Looms: Student Warned About Large Scale House Parties

Matt Jarman, writing in the Nottingham Post (Thursday 24 May 2018) reported that as the end of exams approaches, Nottingham City Council is warning students that house parties will not be tolerated and that tougher penalties will be handed out to students who disrupt the lives of their neighbours.

Nottingham Needs More Student Flats

The Nottingham Post's (Saturday 7 March 2015) front page and inside features a report on the results of a Nottingham City Council study into the student flats' market which has resulted in the Council concluding that there is room for further development of so-called 'student purpose build' accommodation.

Property Management Company Fined After Admitting Failings

In March 2018 ADKAM CIC (Community Interest Company) was fined £1000 with costs of £836 and a £100 victim surcharge by Nottingham Magistrates Court for failure to comply with the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations.

 

NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS

Landlord of Wollaton Hall Drive HMO Fined & Faces Jail After Court Hearing

Writing in the Nottingham Post (Friday 6 July 2018) Rod Malcolm reported that Rehaan Rashid of Kilburn Close, Beeston, who threatened to wreck the future careers of student tenants who raised concerns about their accommodation, must pay almost £35,000 and could face jail after he pleaded guilty to harassment and breaches of the Housing Act.

End of Academic Year: Thursday Evening, Derby Road Lenton

David Pittam (Nottingham Post 15 June 2018) reported on: A 'shocking' picture has revealed the huge amount of alcohol confiscated from students on their way to the last big blow out of term. And the action being taken by Nottingham City Council's Community Protection officers to combat anti-social behaviour and mitigate against the problems experienced by residents.

End of Exams Looms: Student Warned About Large Scale House Parties

Matt Jarman, writing in the Nottingham Post (Thursday 24 May 2018) reported that as the end of exams approaches, Nottingham City Council is warning students that house parties will not be tolerated and that they tougher penalties will be handed out to students who disrupt the lives of their neighbours.

From High Rise Flats to 'Lenton Green'

As reported in the Nottingham Post by Hannah Mitchell (Wednesday 23 May 2018) after four years the regeneration project which followed the demolition of the high rise flats in Lenton has been completed.

Government Gives Green Light for Council to Continue Fighting Letting Board Plague

In the summer of 2017, Nottingham City Council applied to Government for permission to continue operating controls over letting boards in designated parts of the city. This permission has now been given and will be in place for the next five years, so preventing a return to 'Nottingham's Forest of Letting Boards'


UNIVERSITY CORNER
 

NOTTINGHAM TRENT COMMUNITY STATISTICS & RESPONSE RATE

At the meeting facilitated by the NAG on 26 January 2018, Nottingham Trent University presented its community statistics and response rates for the period from September 2017 to 26 January 2018. The university will be providing up-dated community statistics and response rates for each term of the academic year, available for download here:

January_2018_to_April_2018.pdf

 September 2017 to January 2018

NOTTINGHAM UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

Community Newsletter-Summer18


NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL LOCAL PLAN
 

 
Nottingham City  Council’s Local Plan has been submitted to the Secretary of State. The Independent Examination of the Local Plan is likely to take place in September 2018. An inspector, Inspector Beverley Doward, has been appointed in that role, and administration of the procedure will be undertaken by the Programme Officer who is independent of the Council and will work directly with the Inspector. Any queries regarding the examination process should be directed to her:
 
Mrs. Jayne Knight,
c/o Planning Policy & Research Team, Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham NG2 3NG
Tel: 876 4063
 
Information about the process, including hearing dates, documentations, etc. will be published as and when it becomes available. For updates and to see the LAPP visit: www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/examination.
 
The Planning Inspectorate has produced a document to explain the process for examining Local Plans, which is available via the following link:


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & DISCLAIMER
 

The Nottingham Action Group on HMOs wishes to thank: Nottingham City Council for funding support; everyone whose contributions (photographs, ideas, articles, work) form part of this website; and Magneto Technologies Ltd (http://magnetoweb.com) for the expertise which has enabled us to set up and maintain this website.

Last, but by no means least, we also thank our neighbours in the National HMO Lobby for their continuing help and support.

The views and opinions expressed in contributions to this website do not necessarily reflect those of the Nottingham Action Group on HMOs, its committee, or its wider membership.

Whilst endeavouring to ensure that reports are accurate, from time to time mistakes may occur. If you feel this is the case, please contact the Nottingham Action Group on HMOs. Information on how to do so is available on the 'Contact Us' page of this website.

©2018 The Nottingham Action Group

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