Welcome to the Website
of the
NOTTINGHAM ACTION GROUP ON HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION
NASA/ESA Hubble Telescope: Detail of the Cygnus Loop
THE NAG
WHO ♦ WHAT ♦ WHY ♦ HOW?
It's difficult to pinpoint exactly when the momentum that led to the formal constitution of the NAG on 7 February 2004 began to build up. A lot of what happened came about almost by accident rather than intent, with contacts being established between people who, as a rule, one would not have expected to meet up, but who did.
By pooling their resources they set up the circumstances that brought together a diverse group of individuals from very different neighbourhoods in Nottingham who had in common the same sort of concerns about the erosion of those neighbourhoods by large numbers of shared houses (HMOs as we since learned to call them).
No doubt, opinions will vary as to exactly when that momentum became sufficient to trigger the formation of the NAG. In February 2003 Nottingham University hosted the launch of a report commissioned by the City's Area 4 Committee on the effects of what we now call 'studentification'. That launch brought together some of the people who helped to bring about the NAG. A meeting with Alan Simpson MP followed on the 14 August 2003. Although it had been arranged at relatively short notice, more than 70 people came together at the then Western Club. However, the meeting on the 18 November, 2003 of the QMC Forum is the event that finally triggered the formal constitution of the NAG a few months later:
NotesSpecialQMCForumPublicMeetingNovember2003.pdf
The NAG is one of around 60 groups which, together, form the National HMO Lobby. One of the Lobby's strengths has always been that its members, by exchanging experiences and information, are able to work together to highlight problems of common concern. By doing so, they support one another and help to give a voice and visibility to people who share their concerns about what is happening in their neighbourhoods, to their families, friends and neighbours.
This has never been more important than now. In Nottingham's so-called 'studentified' neighbourhoods, as in other university towns and cities in the UK, against the background of the Covid-19 pandemic and the widespread problems experienced by residents as students came back to collect the belongings they left behind when lockdown began in March, residents' concerns have been heightened about the impact on them and their families, friends and neighbours as students return for the beginning of the new academic year 2020-2021.
A separate page has been set up on this website
Coronavirus 2020
where, in addition to appearing in the different sections of the NewsDesk pages, news reports and stories have been collated and added to other related papers which, though they do not fit the news format, are an intrinsic part of the whole. Taken together it is hoped that this page will provide an informal rolling commentary on actions and reactions, local, national (some international) to these widespread concerns, as well as information about what is a constantly developing situation.
For an interactive map giving updated positive Covid-19 cases in the UK and northern Ireland, visit:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK: Interactive Map
The NHS also has a dashboard which shows the number of reported coronavirus cases in an area over a seven-day period. You can select the area by entering a postcode and the distance from the postcode. The dashboard also shows the number of people in that area who have had their suspected coronavirus symptoms assessed by NHS 111:
COVID-19:
If You Need Help, Advice, Information ...
... or just some-one to talk to, here are the links:
Nottingham City Council number for vulnerable and isolating people who need assistance with groceries, medicine, etc. Calls answered Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Tel: 0115 915 5555
ALSO
https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/coronavirus/
St_Marys_Wollaton_Can_we_help_Can_you_help.pdf
Lenton_Community_Coronavirus_Action_.pdf
You can contact the NAG by phone and/or E-mail:
Tel: 07784 881412
(Please leave a brief message and include a return phone number)
E-Mail contact@nottinghamaction.org.uk
(If you do not get a reply within 24 hours, please try our telephone number)
Take care♦ Stay safe ♦ Stay well
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.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/HMO
Also, Nottingham City Council publish a regularly up-dated Register of Licensed HMOs, which can be downloaded from the appropriate link in this page: http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/HMO. Scroll to the 'Downloads' section and the register is the last item on the list.
Compaints about licensed HMOs can be made directly by e-mailing:
If you want advice or help relating to the condition and management of your privately rented property
Visit:
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
PETITION TO PARLIAMENT:
Set Standards for Sound Proofing for Houses in Multiple Occupation
Editor's Note, Wednesday 25 November 2020: A Petition to Parliament has been submitted asking for standards to be set for sound proofing for HMOs. It reads:
Neighbours of HMOs are suffering from the noises of HMOs, including from 'heavy hydraulic-sprung doors'. Many domestic/prefabricated properties (some with no cavity - just solid walls, thin party walls and no insulation/soundproofing) were not designed and built to accommodate those style of doors. Noise can cause health problems. Health effects of noise include anxiety and stress reaction and in extreme cases fright. The physiological manifestations can include headaches, irritability and nervousness, feeling of fatigue and decreased work efficiency. It is worth noting that these effects may not sound troubling, but the truth is, with time, the consequences can be very worrying. To support this petition follow the link to the Petitions UK Government and Parliament website:
Set standards for soundproofing for Houses of Multiple Occupation - Petitions
The deadline for the petition is Wednesday 24 March 2021.
FOR YOUR DIARY
NAG MEETINGS & EVENTS
February 2019 Unipol-NAG (U-NAG) Open Meeting: 'Current Trends & Future Developments in the Student Housing Market'
NATIONAL, NOTTINGHAM & NEIGHBOURHOOD: MEETINGS, EXHIBITIONS, CONSULTATIONS & EVENTS
Items will be added to this page as and when they become available
NEWS DESK
NATIONAL & OTHER NEWS
Universities Fine Students £170,000 For Breaking Coronavirus Rules
Questions Raised About Accuracy of Covid-19 Student Testing Regime
NOTTINGHAM NEWS
Nottingham City Council Propose Increase in HMO Licence Fees
Landlords Concerned About Impact of Lockdown on Their Mortgage Repayments for HMOs Rented to Students
NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS
Nottingham Landlord Fined For Failing to Licence His Properties
Students Breaking Coronavirus Rules May Be 'Fast-Tracked' to Exclusion
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Planning_Applications_Week_Ending_15_January_2021.pdf
Planning_Applications_Week_Ending_8_January_2021.pdf
Planning_Applications_Week_Ending_31_December_2020.pdf
Planning_Applications_Week_Ending_18_December_2020.pdf
You can view all planning applications by visiting the Planning Applications section of Nottingham City Council's website:
EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK
To quote Shakespeare: 'Now is the winter of our discontent ...'. Perhaps 'discontent' isn't quite the right word, but here are a few items which, whilst not making this winter 'glorious summer', may help to lighten the gloom and restore a little faith.
Covid-19: Barnsley bugler in final tribute to victims - BBC News
Finding the silver linings in the black clouds of 2020 - The Dubrovnik Times
Croatian Christmas Recipes: Fritule | Croatia Week
Injured buzzard rescued by police who winged their way to centre | Nottinghamshire Police
Thai man revives baby elephant with CPR after motorbike accident - BBC News
The fox and the photographer: a touching friendship - BBC News
Bird of prey rescued from indoor Christmas tree perch - BBC News
Animal crossing for Utah wildlife is 'working' - BBC News
How a heartbroken swan found love in lockdown - BBC News
Moscow train carriage helps rehome stray pets - BBC News
Rare blonde hedgehog rescued and nursed back to health - BBC News
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 we endeavour 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.