Glasgow student flats fail to get licence over 'noisy lockdown parties'

Applications for a Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence for a five-bedroom property at 34 Hillhead Street and a 10-bedroom apartment at 28 Kersland Street were brought before the licensing committee on Wednesday morning. 

Residents from both buildings raised concerns about noise, litter and disruption – with one saying they had already been forced to call the police over parties held in the flat during lockdown.

And both said the growing problems caused by HMO properties were forcing other residents to move out.

The licence allows people from more than two different households to live together under the one roof safely. 

During the meeting concerns were also raised that allowing the HMO licence would see the loss of home owners in the area. 

Speaking about the plans for Hillhead Street, Jean Charsley of Hillhead community council, said: “We are faced with the perspective loss of owner occupiers. All HMO flats without exception cause serious problems.

“There are parties in the back court, excessive rubbish, lapses in security, urinating in the common close, lack of cooperation with tenants when requests are made of them and disruption of sleep for children and adults.”

Chairman of the committee, councillor Alex Wilson then advised the objectors not to speculate on their evidence.

Local resident Melissa Tonner then explained that there had been ongoing issues with noise levels.

She added: “Neighbours and families are moving out and the whole balance of the area is being lost. The residents of this street who have a long term connection to the community are on knife edge.”

The committee was advised that there are four flats in the Hillhead Street building with an HMO licence. 

It was also pointed out that the owner was currently living in the flat with two other tenants who had worked hard to contribute to the community and keep noise levels to a minimum.

Mr Johnson, representative of the applicant, said:  “Andrew Taylor has the same interest as all the other owner occupiers in the building to maintain it. Two of the tenants have already been in the property for 12 months and there have been no issues with anti social behaviour.

“It is unfair to tarnish someone who has spent a lot of their own money to turn the property into a suitable living space. They should be allowed to use that property with respect from their neighbours.”

The second proposal for Kersland Street was then discussed. Similar concerns of large parties, fly tipping outside the property and anti-social behaviour were raised.

Objector Tanya Malis said: “We have lived here for more than three years with four sets of tenants and every one has been a nightmare.

“There are ten people in a duplex who have access to the close where we live. Every time they invite someone over or congregate in one room it’s already a party.

“We have called the police a number of times. Since we moved in we have had to log of all the bad episodes from this flat. 

“Every month there is a problem. Even during lockdown there have been parties going on. I see them running through the back garden when the police arrive. 

“This is rented as a whole flat with 10 students. As has already been said families are moving out because they have had enough.”

Speaking on the applicant’s behalf representative Carolanne Waters informed the committee that the landlord Mr Cuisick had been in the business for more than 20 years and works hard to maintain his property 

She said: “In 2019 he sandblasted the whole of the wall outside, the close area and the stairs leading to it.

“With regards to rubbish removal I know this is an issue for HMO properties throughout the city. 

“There’s no doubt that the complaints don’t make for good reading. There are ten people living under the one roof and sometimes it only takes one person to cause disruption.

“The building can be tough to manage especially with covid-19. If anything illegal is going on the police should always be contacted.”