Multiple Occupancy (HMO)

Multiple Occupancy is basically where 5 or more unrelated people rent rooms in the same property, usually a former family home. There are strict regulations for multiple occupancy buildings, including the installation of fire doors, fire alarms and locks on the interior doors.

This high density housing has given rise to a number of problems, particularly the increase in vehicle ownership and the lack of off-street parking provision at the properties.  This increase in on- street parking causes problems for existing residents in Whitegates, where parking is already a problem.  This imposition on existing residents is recognised in Reading, where new tenants are not allowed to park cars in the area as part of their tenancy agreement.

ACER  believes that HMO’s should not be allowed in Whitegates unless the parking issue for the tenants and their visitors is addressed.