The report was requested at a previous meeting to provide an overview of HMO provision across the Falkirk Council area.

The report notes that HMOs play a limited role locally. 

There are currently 28 licensed HMOs in the Falkirk Council area. Of these, 23 are held by Falkirk Council, Forth Valley NHS and a housing association, mainly for supported accommodation. One is held by a care home, and four are privately held.

By comparison, the Stirling Council area recorded 763 HMO licences in 2024, Edinburgh 6,325, and Glasgow 3,364. Across Scotland, there were 15,274. Authorities with the highest numbers are typically university towns, where student demand has led some councils to introduce policies to limit concentrations of HMOs.

Falkirk ranks 19th out of 32 Scottish councils for HMO numbers, according to the latest Scottish Government data (2024). Numbers locally have fallen from 41 in 2010 to 26 in 2024-a reduction of around 29%.

Since 2010, there have been 15 planning applications for change of use to an HMO, 11 of which were approved, 1 refused, 2 withdrawn, and 1 is pending.

Michael McGuinness, head of growth, planning, sport and culture, said: “Given the low and declining number of HMOs, and the absence of a significant local clusters, there is no evidence at present to justify a specific planning policy on HMO concentrations or overprovision at this time.

“It is for Elected Members to decide if this is the right way for forward.”