Property owners in Glasgow could be banned from renting out to students if there is already a high number in the area.

Glasgow residents are being asked for their opinion on properties being rented out to multiple people, including purpose built student accommodation, as part of a new consultation.

A Licensing and Regulatory Committee set up to deal with HMOs (house in multiple occupation) are considering capping the number of licenses handed out across the city either to houses, flats, purpose built student accommodation or a hostel.

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They are keen to find out whether the negative issues associated with multiple tenancy properties can be attributed to higher concentrations of HMOs, as opposed to tenanted properties or owner-occupied properties.

Antisocial behaviour of tenants, poor maintenance of properties, landlords unwilling to contribute to common repairs and accumulation of higher levels of household waste and bulk items in common areas have been linked to the high number of students in the city.

Read more: Student flats 'swamping' Glasgow

The problems were especially evident in the Anderston, City and Yorkhill ward which has the highest level of HMOs in Glasgow, with 45 per cent of citywide provision contained within the area.

As previously reported by the Evening Times, locals have opposed plans to build more student accommodation in the area after claims they are being ‘swamped’.

The issue has been raised by several local councillors Sandra White, Kelvin SNP MSP, who claimed that housing associations are priced out of the market as property developers snap up plots to build tower blocks for international students paying premium rents.

Glasgow City Council were given discretionary powers in 2012 under the Private Rented Housing (Scotland) Act 2011, to allow them to refuse to grant a HMO licence where it considers that there is an over provision in the area.

They are now seeking views on whether they should exercise the power to stop residents having a negative impact on neighbourhoods throughout the city.

Read more: Student flats 'swamping' Glasgow

The Committee is also keen to hear views on the impact that the growing number of purpose built student complexes have on local neighbourhoods and on the city more generally.

An HMO can be occupied by three or more unrelated persons from three or more different families, is occupied by them as their only or main residence, is either a house, premises or group of premises owned by the same person and provides shared sanitary and cooking facilities.

The Licensing and Regulatory Committee said they are keen to ensure that future HMO policy is aligned to the needs of local communities – providing safe and suitable living accommodation to tenants whilst ensuring that the operation of such accommodation does not negatively impact local residents.

Read more: Student flats 'swamping' Glasgow

The committee carried out a consultation and evidence gathering process back in 2013 to determine whether to adopt a policy of over provision but decided not to.

They are now looking for the public’s opinion on the issue.

Anyone interested in sharing their views, is asked to contact Mairi Millar, Legal Manager (Licensing) on mairi.millar@glasgow.gov.uk.