Organisations focused on housing and refugee rights have voiced ‘extreme concern’ over plans to remove the licensing requirements for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) used as asylum accommodation.

In a letter written on behalf of 141 organisations, Gavin Smart, the chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing, warned that removing the licensing requirements for HMOs used to house asylum seekers could lead to safety issues, overcrowding and the increased use of substandard buildings.

Part of the Housing Standards (Refugees and Asylum Seekers) Bill, the plans to temporarily relax the licensing requirements are part of the effort to move people seeking refuge in the UK out of hotels.

A Government spokesperson said that the proposed changes ‘will not compromise standards and all properties will be independently inspected to ensure they continue to meet national housing quality requirements covering issues such as overcrowding and fire safety.’

However, Mr Smart warned this would not be sufficient to ensure safety standards are met.

He wrote: ‘We are aware that the Home Office promises to repeat the requirements that normally apply in licensing via its contracts with accommodation suppliers; however, experience with enforcement of conditions in existing contracts indicates that this is very unlikely to be sufficient or comprehensive given the scale of accommodation required.’

He concluded: ‘We therefore urge you to abandon the planned removal of HMO licensing requirements, and instead to redouble efforts to ensure that asylum accommodation is safe, healthy and secure.’

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