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

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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:

Coronavirus in your area - NHS Digital


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 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:

hmo@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

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



FOR YOUR DIARY
 

NAG MEETINGS & EVENTS

February 2019 Unipol-NAG (U-NAG) Open Meeting: 'Current Trends & Future Developments in the Student Housing Market'

Notes of this meeting, held on Thursday 21 February 2019, are now available to read and to download when you open this page.


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

Call for Evidence:

Housing, Communities & Local Government Select Committee Inquiry
To Examine Government's Approach to Permitted Development Rights

https://committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/431/permitted-development-rights/

Deadline for Submission: Friday 30 April 2021  


NEWS DESK
 

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NATIONAL & OTHER NEWS

Vice-Chancellors Express Unhappiness That Government Fails to Provide Update for Campus Re-openings:

Chris Havergal, writing in THES on Monday 5 April, reported that updated guidance published after the government briefing has left existing arrangements for return of students unchanged. and that Vice-Chancellors have expressed their disappointment that a date for face-to-face teaching of students on all courses has not yet been announced.

South Yorkshire Police Hand Out £34,000 in Fines At Sheffield Student Party

BBC News, Sheffield & South Yorkshire, reported on Saturday 6 February 2021 that South Yorkshire Police broke up a student party at Randmoor Student Village in Sheffield attended by more than 150, having been called to the site by university security staff in the early hours of Thursday 4 February 2021.

Government Plans Phased Return of Students from 8 March

On Friday 5 February 2021, Richard Adams and Rachel Hall reported in the Higher Education section of the Guardian that the Secretary of State for Education is planning to begin a phased return of students to English universities from 8 March 2021.

NOTTINGHAM NEWS

Coronavirus: Nottingham Vaccine Uptake 'Disappointing'

Nottingham Post Digital News Correspondent, Joseph Locker, writing on Saturday 10 April 2021, reported that public health officials say that Nottingham has one of the lowest vaccine uptakes with only the London boroughs, the Forest of Dean and Luton having lower vaccination rates in the over-50's age group. Infection rates in Nottinghamshire still slightly higher than the England average.

"A Total Embarrassment for Nottingham": Behaviour of City's Students on First Day of Rule of Six

Matt Jarram, Nottingham Post Senior Digital Reporter & Crime Correspondent posted two articles on Tuesday 30 March 2021 reporting on the reactions of local residents and the Leader of Nottingham City Council and the Assistant Chief Constable to the behaviour witnessed in The Arboretum on the first day of the easing of lockdown restrictions. Amongst further information, and views, a later report by Olimpia Zagnat (Community Reporter) and Matt Jarram provided an update from Nottinghamshire Police.

Coronavirus Rules: Nottinghamshire Police Issue 87 House Party Fines in One Week-End

Writing on Wednesday, 24 March 2021, Matt Jarram, Nottingham Post Senior Digital Reporter and Crime Correspondent reported that, after more than 80 people were issued with fines for holding or attending house parties in one week-end in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire Police will use dispersal orders on a more permanent basis. The next of these, lasting 48 hours, will begin at 18.00 on Friday, 26 March in the Arboretum and Lenton.

NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS

'Managing the 'Rule of Six': Nottinghamshire Police Police & Crime Commissioner Admits 'We Can't Police This'

On Thursday 1 April 2021, Matt Jarram, Nottingham Post Digital Reporter and Crime Correspondent, wrote that, after the first week of lockdown restrictions easing, and problems with crowds flocking to Lenton Recreation Ground, The Arboretum and the Forest Recreation Ground, Nottinghamshire's Police & Crime Commissioner has raised doubts about whether the Police have the capacity to enforce the 'rule of six'.

Arboretum Park Yet Again Scene of Covid Rule-Breaking Behaviour

On Tuesday 30 March 2021, under the headline "Covid: 'Madness' as hundreds descend on Nottingham park", BBC News on-line reported on the previous day's scenes in The Arboretum of large crowds brawling and drinking and ignoring Covid safety advice.

Nottingham University Students Caught on Camera Running Across Rooftops

On Friday 26 March 2021 the Nottingham Post's Senior Digital Reporter and Crime Correspondent, Matt Jarram, reported that local residents in Lenton had filmed Nottingham University students running across rooftops and doing handstands on Thursday 25 March.


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.

©2021 The Nottingham Action Group

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