Bristol streets with over a hundred HMOs

Bristol is seeing a sharp rise in Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), with four streets now hosting more than 100 HMOs each. According to newly released council data obtained via a Freedom of Information request, this is the first time multiple streets in the city have crossed the 100-HMO mark.

Which Streets Have the Most HMOs?

At the top of the list is Gloucester Road, which remains the street with the highest number of HMOs in Bristol, reaching 165 shared houses. Fishponds Road follows, experiencing a 24% increase in just one year, rising from 87 to 108 HMOs.

For the first time, Whiteladies Road has also surpassed 100, reaching 102 HMOs, while Filton Avenue has hit exactly 100. These areas are popular with students and young professionals, contributing to the rise in shared housing.

Here is the full list of Bristol’s top 19 streets with the most HMOs:

Rank	Street Name	Area	Number of HMOs
1	Gloucester Road	Redland, Horfield, Bishopston & Ashley Down	165
2	Fishponds Road	Eastville/Frome Vale	108
3	Whiteladies Road	Central/Clifton Down	102
4	Filton Avenue	Horfield, Bishopston & Ashley Down	100
5	High Kingsdown	Cotham	82
6	Ashley Down Road	Bishopston & Ashley Down	82
7	Pembroke Road	Clifton/Clifton Down	62
8	Queens Road	Clifton/Central	62
9	Wilder Street	Ashley	58
10	Cromwell Road	Ashley	54
11	Tyndalls Park Road	Central/Clifton Down	52
12	St Michaels Hill	Central/Clifton Down	51
13	Park Street	Hotwells, Harbourside & Central	49
14	Baldwin Street	Central	47
15	Cheltenham Road	Cotham, Ashley	47
16	Toronto Road	Horfield, Bishopston & Ashley Down	46
17	Stapleton Road	Easton & Lawrence Hill	46
18	Coronation Road	Southville	43
19	Southmead Road	Southmead/Horfield	41

What is an HMO and Why Are They Increasing?

A House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) is a rented property shared by three or more people from different households, typically students and young professionals. These homes are often popular in areas close to universities, business districts, and transport links.

Bristol’s rising housing costs and increasing student population have fueled HMO growth. Cotham remains the most densely populated HMO area, with nearly 25% of homes classified as HMOs in 2022.

Bristol City Council’s Response

To ensure safe and regulated housing, the Bristol City Council conducted:

• 3,397 inspections of HMO properties between 2023 and 2024.
• 6,307 enforcement actions against landlords failing to meet standards.
• 1,000+ informal improvement notices issued.
• 142 formal notices served.
• 18 financial penalty notices given to non-compliant landlords.

Impact on Communities

The concentration of HMOs can bring both benefits and challenges:

Pros:

 More affordable rental options for young professionals and students.
 Efficient use of housing in high-demand areas.
 Increased business for local shops, cafes, and services.

Cons:

 Noise complaints and community disruption.
 Higher parking demand and limited space.
 Strain on local services and waste management.

What’s Next?

With HMO numbers rising, Bristol City Council may tighten regulations to control further expansion, ensuring balance between affordable housing and maintaining community harmony.

If you live in an area with many HMOs, keep an eye out for potential policy changes, landlord regulations, and new housing developments that could impact your neighborhood.

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