A SURVEY of residents in a suburb near the University of York has revealed huge concerns about the growth of student lets.

The Badger Hill Residents Community Group says 135 owner occupiers replied to a survey which it organised to assess the strength of feeling in the local community about the growth in the number of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), which are mainly student households.

It said 97 per cent had replied saying they had been adversely affected, with two-thirds referring to parking problems, 59 per cent saying they were concerned about poor maintenance of properties and 36 per cent saying they had problems over noise. Almost 30 per cent had concerns about litter and 20 per cent about antisocial behaviour.

Three-fifths said they had made complaints about HMOs near them, and when asked whether they knew anyone who had moved or was considering moving out of Badger Hill because of their growth, 81 per cent answered “yes”. Ninety-eight per cent said they would you like City of York Council to license or control their growth in the area.

The group said in a statement that residents believed they should offer a welcoming and safe environment to all who lived in Badger Hill, including students, and recognised the many benefits the university brought to the area.

They said: “However, Badger Hill is being affected by the rapid conversion of family homes into HMOs, caused by the substantial shortfall of university accommodation and the financial incentives HMOs offer for landlords.

They said the survey results had been presented to council officers, who were looking into the possible introduction of “Article 4” designation of areas in York to control the growth of HMOs. Coun Steve Galloway, executive member for city strategy, said officers would take the survey results into account when they assembled their recommendations for dealing with issues associated with the short term let properties.

A spokesman for the University of York said: “Irrespective of the occupiers of any particular property, if neighbours have concerns about poor maintenance, noise or anti-social behaviour they should contact City of York Council. A survey of on-street parking in Badger Hill took place in November, and depending on its results, City of York Council and the University will discuss any remedial action, such as residents’ only parking schemes, which may be necessary.”