BOURNEMOUTH’S homes of multiple occupancy could have to be licensed in the future in a bid to better control student housing.

At a meeting arranged by the Winton Community Forum on Saturday, acting council leader Cllr John Beesley said that the suggestion, put forward by the forum, would be looked at and would give the authority more control over HMOs, which residents say are causing them problems.

The meeting brought together residents, the police, politicians – including Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns – the university, Arts University and the council.

Residents have long complained that some student houses cause noise and anti-social behaviour problems.

Pat Oakley, from the forum, suggested that following Oxford’s example of requiring HMOs to be licensed would add to the control that Bournemouth Council gained when it secured the right from government to insist on planning permission for new HMOs.

Mr Oakley said: “I believe that by bringing in these measures to licence HMOs, we would improve the lives of students that live in our community and we will improve the accountability of landlords.”

Mr Burns added: “I think it’s a really interesting idea. It would give an extra power to the local authority, and therefore the community, to have an influence.”

Cllr Beesley said: “If that power is one that we can use it would be very useful to us.”

Toby Horner, president of the Students’ Union at Bournemouth University, said it would help improve the quality of student accommodation.

The meeting also heard that progress was being made in decreasing the amount of anti-social behaviour linked to HMOs, as police had 20 per cent less reports than this time last year, and the Students’ Union was working with students to educate them in being good neighbours.

Mr Burns urged residents to continue reporting every problem they had to the police and council, saying it was “vital” they were told.

Carl Richards, of Stanfield Road, said a co-ordinated approach was needed.