The West End’s high homes of multiple occupation density is to be investigated by councillors to see if claims they are bringing the area down are justified.
The probe was ordered by one of Dundee’s senior council members amid concern some areas are becoming known as ‘HMO-land’.
Stewart Hunter said councillors needed to see the situation for themselves after the latest complaint was received, this time regarding Union Place.
The street is just one where HMO licences have been granted despite there already being an overprovision.
Enclosed on both ends by blocks of HMOs, the street was already at capacity before the latest application was approved, and another is in the pipeline.
At a licensing committee meeting, convener Stewart Hunter said: “This feels like dj vu.
“About three or four times we have had applications for this street and Mrs Mackenzie (a local resident) has made an objection every time, as is her right.
“I think it’s time we as a committee went out to Union Place and had a look.”
In an attempt to “prevent excessive concentrations” of HMOs, the city council previously adopted a policy where an excess of 12.5% would be deemed an ‘overprovision’ in that area.
However, voicing his objection at the latest wave of HMOs, Councillor Tom Ferguson said: “This policy has been breached by this committee many times.”
A new application in Daniel Place, an area where there are currently 18 HMOs providing 72 bed spaces, was approved, despite the area already becoming known as HMO-land, according to Mr Ferguson.
Mr Hunter said: “Refusing this application is like closing the stable door once the horse has already bolted.
“It happened, the damage is done and we can’t control it, but we will control it in other areas.”
Renewal applications were also granted at 246 Perth Road and 7 Blackness Avenue, while a new application for 44 Roseangle also brought that area to its capacity.
The council’s overprovision policy advises applicants however: “Applicants should be aware that the council will not refuse to accept an application for a licence on the basis of overprovision.
“It will be for the applicantto seek to convince the licensing committee that there are exceptional circumstances in their case which would justify the policy not being applied.”
Exceptions to the policy include the city centre, purpose-built student accommodation and renewal applications for properties which have not been problematic.
However, Councillor Mohammed Asif said HMO properties were being unfairly targeted and argued the council was better able to control such properties because they rely on their licences being renewed.