Councillors in Norwich are taking a motion to the Cabinet at Norwich City Council on September 14th that will limit where students can live in Norwich. This is called Article 4, which can limit the number of HMOs (Houses Of Multiple Occupancy – i.e. houses with multiple tenants) in certain constituencies. This could mean that students are pushed out of areas such as the Golden Triangle, a community enriched by its student population.

This motion is based off the argument that students make bad neighbours, are causing rent prices to, increase and are driving away potential family buyers in these areas. However, students are actually a minority in HMOs, and many HMOs are occupied by working professionals. So, whilst this policy will mean that students are no longer able to choose where they live and are dispersed into more isolated areas, it’s young working people who will feel the brunt of the deal.

At UEA Students’ Union, we are keen to break stereotype that students are lazy party goers: in fact they are part of a diverse and vibrant community in Norwich and contribute to it’s economy. Not only does UEA make up 5% (3, 896) of Norwich’s employment, it’s students spend £201 million in the city on living and housing costs, bringing the total output impact of UEA in Norwich and the surrounding area to £364.4 million.”

This issue has caused contention across the political parties represented at Norwich City Council. There is simply is not the support or consensus from the local politicians who represent the residents of the areas the will be affected by this motion on how to approach HMOs.

We believe that students should have the right to choose where they live, that students are a contributing factor, both socially and economically, to the Norwich community and that Article 4 will have a detrimentally unfair impact on both students and young working people in the city. We urge the Council to engage with us as a Student Union around these issues and work together to tackle the perceived problems that arise with the large number of HMOs.

We want to find out what you think, so sign this petition if you think Norwich Council should reject Article 4 on September 14th.