Conference notes:

1. That there are approx 7.5 million FE and HE students in the UK
2. That HMOs are not solely occupied by students, many other sections of the community, such as young professionals, low income workers, migrant workers and single people choose this type of accommodation.
3. That the call of a minority of local parties for the Federal Liberal Democrat Party to support Labour’s EDM on HMO’s, and the actions of the Bristol Local Party have severely damaged the parties reputation amongst young people and students.
   The last NUS housing survey, which showed that 23% of students live with rats, 75% live with damp, and before the introduction of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme 33% experienced difficulties getting their deposit back. Burglary rates in some student areas are as high as 1 in 10 student properties.
4. That residential area’s with a high student population face many different challenges to other areas.
5. That a high student population is often beneficial to the local economy and that students contribute a high number of volunteer hours nationally.
6. That most Student Union’s run schemes to promote community cohesion.
7. The UUK Studentification report
8. EDM 1488 set down by Roberta Blackman-Woods,
9. "That this House supports moves to unify the definition of houses of multiple occupation; calls for the Government to bring forward proposals to amend the Housing Act 2004 so that all student properties are subject to licence and measures are introduced to control saturation in defined areas; urges local authorities to use the planning system to encourage the establishment of harmonious balanced communities throughout all areas of towns and cities; and welcomes the establishment of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Balanced and Sustainable Communities as a forum of discussion for these issues."
10. The 2004 Housing Act

Conference resolves:

1. To deplore Labour’s EDM on HMO’s.
2. To maintain the drive for better housing set in motion by the Housing Act 2004, and calls for stronger action, and greater resources to ensure that this legislation can be fully implemented.
3. To call for the enforcement of minimum legal standards on all HMOs including those which are not currently licensable.
4. To support the use of successful housing accreditation schemes as a voluntary means of improving standards.
5. To call for councils to be given improved resources to tackle problems of poor housing, and to resolve the issues of studentification.