“We’ve had enough.” This was the unanimous response from countless Birmingham residents each time a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) application was submitted in their neighborhoods during 2025.
Communities rallied together, launching petitions, submitting formal objections, and urging council planners for stricter regulations. Their collective voice made an impact — decision-makers frequently ruled that converting family homes into HMOs would have an “unacceptable adverse impact” on the surrounding areas.
One notable case involved a proposal to convert a former hostel near Soho Road on Holliday Road into an HMO to house potentially vulnerable tenants. Local residents expressed concerns over saturation, escalating anti-social behavior, and sheer exhaustion with continual applications. One individual even asked, “Why don’t you take them to Sutton Coldfield?” Ultimately, the council rejected the application.
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In Erdington, nearly 400 people signed a petition and around 50 neighbors protested plans to convert a family home on Mason Road into a five-bed HMO. MP Paulette Hamilton highlighted that there were already 180 HMOs in her constituency and emphatically stated, “No more are welcome here.” When the application was rejected, Hamilton hailed it as “a resounding victory for our community and a clear message that enough is enough.”
Similarly, in Acocks Green, over 14 objections voiced residents’ worries about parking congestion, increased traffic, crime, waste management, noise, and the growing concentration of HMOs. Planning authorities recognized these concerns and refused permission.
Throughout 2025, the steadfast efforts of Birmingham’s communities showcased the power of collective action in influencing local planning decisions and protecting residential areas from over-concentration of HMOs.