Princes Street in Mansfield, a once tightly knit residential area, is experiencing significant shifts as several three-bedroom terraced houses are converted into houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). Longtime residents report increased overcrowding, parking difficulties, overflowing bins, and a decline in community cohesion, attributing these changes to the rising number of HMOs and the accompanying rise in tenant numbers.

One notable example involves number 13 Princes Street, originally a three-bedroom home turned into a licensed HMO accommodating six tenants. Recently, the property’s owners applied for planning approval to increase occupancy to ten by converting bedrooms to house couples and installing additional kitchen facilities. Despite objections from residents, the local council approved the expansion with conditions, intensifying concerns about overcrowding and the street’s changing character.

Local residents, including Cynthia Leveridge, who has lived on Princes Street for 47 years, and others who have resided in the area for decades, describe the neighborhood’s transformation as a loss of communal spirit and family-friendly environment. Complaints include increased noise, antisocial behaviour, difficulties with parking, and refuse management. Some residents also note challenges posed by language barriers among tenants and the transient nature of the current housing population.

The trend reflects broader national patterns, as demand for shared housing has risen amid growing affordability issues in the UK property market. Government figures indicate that HMOs, defined as properties shared by three or more people from different households, have increased sharply—from 41,000 conversion applications in 2018 to over 57,000 in 2024, with nearly half a million HMOs estimated nationwide in 2025. The surge is linked partly to efforts to provide dispersed accommodation for asylum seekers as part of government policy to reduce reliance on hotel housing. More than 72,000 asylum seekers currently reside in non-hotel accommodation, including HMOs, contributing to the increased pressure on residential streets.

Mansfield Council recognizes the concerns raised by residents but notes current licensing regulations only require formal licencing for “large HMOs” housing five or more tenants. This threshold means many smaller shared homes are not officially recorded as HMOs, leaving the true number on Princes Street unclear. The council is actively reviewing housing needs and patterns and is considering the introduction of an Article 4 Direction—a planning power that would require licensing for all HMOs and give authorities more control over conversions.

Local Labour MP Steve Yemm has expressed support for such measures, emphasizing the need for stronger regulation to manage the spread of HMOs and mitigate community impact. He acknowledges that while HMOs address housing demand, excessive concentration in certain neighborhoods can strain local services and disrupt community cohesion.

Despite these discussions and proposals, residents fear that changes to Princes Street and similar areas across Mansfield may continue with existing policies insufficiently addressing their concerns. The situation in Princes Street illustrates the wider challenges faced by local authorities nationwide as they balance housing needs, asylum seeker accommodations, and the preservation of established communities.