Gloucester City Council has initiated two public consultations inviting residents, landlords, tenants, businesses, and community groups to share their views on new measures aimed at addressing the rise of rogue landlords and improving housing standards in the city’s private rental sector.
The focus is on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)—properties where three or more people from separate households share kitchens or bathrooms. While many HMOs are well-managed and provide essential rental options, poorly regulated HMOs often suffer from overcrowding, substandard conditions, and security concerns, contributing to community complaints, anti-social behavior, and strain on services such as waste collection and parking.
Furthermore, the increasing conversion of small family homes into HMOs has reduced the availability of affordable housing for families, changing the character of established neighborhoods.
Council leader Jeremy Hilton (LD, Kingsholm and Wotton) emphasized the need for intervention: “We acknowledge that HMOs serve a role in Gloucester’s housing market, but unchecked growth and poor conditions harm tenants and communities alike. For too long, the proliferation of HMOs has gone uncontrolled, altering neighborhood dynamics and depleting small family homes.”
To tackle this, Gloucester City Council proposes extending licensing to all HMOs—not just larger ones with five or more tenants—and introducing an Article 4 Direction in the six most affected wards. This would require planning permission for any new HMOs, enabling the council to assess their impact on local character, parking demand, and waste management.
Currently, Gloucester has approximately 1,680 HMOs, of which only around 340 qualify for mandatory licensing. The planned regulations aim to raise housing standards, support responsible landlords, and maintain community balance.
The consultations will be open until May 11, with public meetings scheduled for April 15 and an online event to encourage input. Additionally, the proposals will be discussed during the Landlords’ Forum on April 2. Details and participation opportunities are available on Gloucester City Council’s website.
This proactive approach reflects Gloucester’s commitment to fostering safe, secure, and balanced housing for all residents.