Removing HMO Protection from Asylum Seekers

By removing licensing for Houses in Multiple Occupation from asylum seekers, the government extends their experience of exploitation and increases the risks to their health and well-being. Local authorities will still have powers to take action including Statutory Nuisance provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1990; Part 1 of the Housing Act 2004; the Housing, Health and Safety Rating System and the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998. They all place statutory duties on local authorities but they will be constrained to take action when the enforcement required creates additional work for already overwhelmed Environmental Health Officers.