Harlow: Estate's Concern Over HMOs

People living on an estate in Harlow say they are being plagued by drink, drugs and rubbish because of Houses of Multiple Occupation.

HMOs, as they are also known, are basically houses where a lot of people - who are not related to each other or not living as a family -  live and share amenities such as a bathroom or kitchen.

Residents of the Berecroft Estate say there has been a big rise in the number of HMOs over recent years and it is causing the community to become fragmented. 

Zulqarcheema is the Secretary of the Residents' Association.  

He says while he recognises there are many HMOs lived in by nurses and students that do not cause any issues, there are many lived in by migrant workers who have recently come to the country and these are the ones causing the problems: "They're transient and it's not the same fixed so there's a considerable amount of people going in and out.

"Because they are not familiar with how or when the rubbish is collected, they'll just throw the rubbish out or dump it anywhere."
He says there are other problems too: "They're away from home, bored and so they're going to drink and because they're not familiar with the area they dump the bottles.

"As a community that breaks us up a bit becuase they're not invilved in the community. They're just here to do a job and then leave."
John lives on the estate with his wife, but plans to move away because of the issues to do with the HMOs. 

He says there are also concerns over safety and also drugs: "We know one of the main drug pushers lived in one of the HMOs because it subsequently raided by the police. There's needles found in the hedges, there's needles being found over in the play areas.

"You don't know who's in those places, you don't know what's going on. I found a whole load of stuff stuffed in my hedge, it turned out to be a duvet cover and duvet covered in blood."

The people on the estate say they want the HMOs to be better registered and better regulated so these issues can be better addressed.

In a statement, Harlow Council said: "Harlow Council will always investigate complaints of anti-social behaviour. 

"The problem in Berecroft was reported to the Council recently and we are currently working closely with the Police, the local housing association and the landlord to resolve the issue. 

"Separately, if we receive complaints about rubbish we will work with the landlord to advise on recycling and waste collection arrangements."

The Council recently came under Labour control in the local elections. 

Edna Stevens is a Labour Councillor. She stressed that while there are not issues with every HMO, she did want the problem ones addressed: "We did raise it with the previous administration.

"I hope we can get them registered because when you know where they are, then you can start inspecting them and doing something about them."

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