The latest data reveals that England’s HMO market has grown by 2.3% in the past year, with nearly 10,500 additional shared homes recorded. This takes the national total to 472,823 HMOs, highlighting the ongoing importance of shared housing in meeting demand for affordable living.
However, the growth is far from evenly spread. While regions such as the West Midlands and London are seeing sharp increases, areas like the East of England and the South East are recording significant declines.
Strongest Growth in the Midlands and London
According to figures analysed by HMO management platform COHO, the West Midlands led the way with an 8.8% rise, followed by London at 5.4% and the North East at 3.2%.
At local authority level, East Devon saw a remarkable 523% increase in HMO numbers, with Wandsworth (382%), South Staffordshire (300%) and Wolverhampton (233%) also reporting sharp rises. In total, eight local authorities more than doubled their HMO count over the past 12 months
Get Expert Advice Today
Get Expert Advice Today—Your Dream Mortgage Is Just a Message Away! Let’s Turn Your Mortgage Plans into Reality—Get in Touch Now!
Sharp Declines in the South and East
By contrast, some regions saw steep declines. The East of England recorded a 4% fall in HMO numbers, while the South East dropped by 3.3%.
Local authorities including Welwyn Hatfield (–73%), Watford (–66%), Walsall (–50%) and Sefton (–50%) reported the biggest losses. Reading, North Tyneside and Stevenage also saw reductions of around 36–38%.
Industry experts say these disparities are linked to local demand, planning rules and licensing regimes, creating uneven growth across the country.
Use Our Mortgage Calculator to Find Out How Much Can You Borrow!
Almost there!
Please provide your details to see your mortgage calculation resultsYour Estimated Borrowing Amount
£0
Based on your income details, this is an estimate of how much you might be able to borrow.
Looking for a Mortgage?
At Contractor Mortgage Solutions, we specialise in helping all types of professionals to secure the most competitive mortgage deals tailored to their unique income profiles. Whatever changes the market brings, we work with lenders who understand non-traditional income and can help maximise your borrowing potential.
Get in touch today to explore your options with a specialist mortgage adviser.