Norwich City Council has voted in favour of a crackdown on landlords who own properties which have multiple tenants without planning authorisation.
Concerns have been raised that, in some areas, houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), have led to increased rent, a rise in anti-social behaviour, and unbalanced neighbourhoods.
Yesterday, members of the council's planning committee made their intentions clear when approving enforcement action on a house at 55 Cunningham Road, Norwich.
The landlord at the property in question, which currently houses eight people, has not responded to the council's inquiries.
The approved enforcement action in this case will require the landlord to stop using the property as a HMO or face being taken to court.
The property came under scrutiny having changed from a residential property to a HMO without planning permission.
Committee member Mike Sands said: 'This sends a strong message to landlords who think they can cram people into houses and exploit them for profit.'
The council will next month evaluate whether to take enforcement action against two other properties in Norwich.
Mr Sands said unauthorised HMOs were neither 'appropriate or acceptable'.
He added: 'I'm really pleased with this outcome, but this is just the tip of a very big iceberg.'
The city council voted unanimously to take action in this case, and added that it will do the same to 'anyone who breaches the HMO standards'.
The news was welcomed by the Green Party, which has supported the regulation of both large and small HMOs.
Denise Carlo, a Green Party councillor who represents Nelson ward, said: 'HMOs are an important part of the housing mix, and students and young professionals can contribute a lot to the area where they live.
'However, when an area becomes dominated by HMOs, it pushes up rents and makes it harder for young families to find a house.'
Simeon Jackson, a fellow Green Party councillor, added: 'We also want to improve private sector housing conditions for people who rely on HMOs for accommodation.
'It is a complex issue and planning controls can only be part of the solution.'
This means that student-heavy areas such as the Golden Triangle area of the city could see further restrictions in the future.
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