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

Etna_05.09.2020.jpg


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 daily updated positive Covid-19 cases in England, visit:

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=47574f7a6e454dc6a42c5f6912ed7076

 


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

Items will be added to this page as and when they become available


NEWS DESK
 

NATIONAL & OTHER NEWS

Return of Students to US Colleges Probably Led to Surge in Covid Cases

Lauren Aratani, writing in the Guardian on Tuesday 20 October 2020, reported that research has started to show that inviting students back to college in August probably led to a rise in Covid-19 cases in the United States.

Coronavirus: SAGE Member Warns of 'Tough' Christmas

On Monday 19 October 2020, BBC News reported that ProfessorJeremy Farrar, Director of the Wellcome Trust and a Member of the SAGE Committee, advocating a 'circuit breaker' now to reduce virus transmission, warned that the country is in for a three- to six-month very difficult period.

Claims Made That UK Universities Are Persisting With Face-To-Face Teaching to RetainTuition Fees

Anna Fazackerley, writing in the Guardian on Saturday 17 October 2020 reported that in spite of significant outbreaks of Covid-19 many universities are hesitating to move to on-line teaching in order to ensure that they will not need to rebate fees for students who decide to leave.

Fears Grow Student Covid Infections Will Spread into Local Areas in England & Wales

Niamh McIntyre, David Batty and Pamela Duncan, writing in the Guardian on Monday 12 October 20202, report that the infection rates at universities are up to seven times higher than those in the local general population, raising concerns that the student outbreaks will seed into the wider community.

Spikes in Covid 19 Cases in UK University Towns & Cities

On Saturday 10 October 2020, writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Dominic Gilbert, Camilla Turner and Dominic Penna reported that Covid-19 rates in university towns are more than 40 per cent higher than in the rest of the UK.

NOTTINGHAM NEWS

Coronavirus Admission to Hospital Wards in Nottingham 'Rising Fast'

On Friday 16 October 2020 Joseph Locker, Digital News Correspondent of the Nottingham Post reported that admissions to Nottingham's hospitals due to coronavirus are 'rising fast' and some routine operations have been disrupted, although the trust is continuing to offer non-Covid care.

Funding from National Programme For Rebuild of QMC and City Hospital Announced

On Friday 2 October 2020 Anna Whittaker writing in the Nottingham Post reported that it has been confirmed that Nottingham's two hospitals will benefit from a £3.7 bn programme with funding going towards a 'rebuild of both the Queen's Medical Centre and City Hospital sites'.

Nottingham Director of Public Health Responds to 'Sudden Rise' in Coronavirus Cases in Nottingham

On Saturday 10 October 2020, the Nottingham Post's Andrew Topping reported an interview with Alison Challenger, Nottingham City Public Health Director, in which she outlined reasons for the 'sudden rise' in coronavirus cases in Nottingham, which she says cannot be fully accounted for yet, but which have pushed Nottingham into becoming the area of England with the most active cases of the virus per population.

Covid-19 Surge in Nottingham

BBC News on Friday 9 October 2020 published an article showing that, although 689.1 per 100,000 people in the city had tested positive to covid-19 over the past week, anticipated Government restrictions will not now be announced until Monday 12 October with implementation following on Wednesday 14 October. Local leaders consider the lack of action unacceptable, putting people at risk. A map of coronavirus cases, based on Government data, shows the focal points of the surge to be in areas around Nottingham's two universities.

NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS

The Day After Students Fined £40,000 Police Shut Down More Illegal Student Parties

On Thursday 22 October Matt Jarram, Senior Digital Reporter and Crime Correspondent of the Nottingham Post reported that Nottinghamshire Police have dealt with more than 60 students in separate house party incidents across the city. It is alleged that one advertised ticketed birthday party had door security for the event outside the student house.

Nottingham Trent Students Fined £40,000: Police Found More than Thirty People Hiding in the House

On Wednesday 21 October 2020, Anna Whittaker, writing in the Nottingham Post, reported that four Nottingham Trent University students have been fined £40,000 for breaching lockdown rules when Police found more than 30 people hiding in the property in Lenton. The students had claimed that everyone had left the party, and are alleged to have said that officers were essentially 'spoiling their' fun.

Coronavirus: Nottingham Students Speak About the Nottingham Spike

On Monday 19 October 2020, Gurjeet Nanrah, Community Reporter, writing in the Nottingham Post, reported the views of students about the sharp rise in coronavirus cases in the city, the problems they are facing, and the impact of universities reopening.

Plans to Sell Alcohol at Jubilee Campus Student Cafe Opposed by Residents

Lynette Pinches (Nottingham Post Life Writer) reported on Friday 16 October 2020 that residents are opposed to an application by Nottingham university for a license at the Cafe Terrazzo on the Jubilee Camus to allow the sale off alcohol until midnight seven days a week.


EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK
 

Liburnija_Rijeka.jpgm/s Liburnija
19 September - 3 October 


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.

©2020 The Nottingham Action Group

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