HMOs in Portsmouth: high, concentrated and hard to count with one number

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Portsmouth had 3,107 records in licensed HMO categories in September 2026. 69.7% of the combined register was in Charles Dickens, Central Southsea and St Thomas. Census 2021 identified HMOs at 2.12% of Portsmouth dwellings, compared with 2.35% in Southampton, 0.70% in England and 0.25% in the Hampshire County Council area. Licence coverage expanded in September 2023, so licence counts are not a continuous measure of HMO stock.

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HMOs in Portsmouth: 3,107 licensed-category records on the council's combined register, September 2026; 69.7% of the combined register is in three wards. Census 2021 HMO share of dwellings: Southampton 2.35% | Portsmouth 2.12% | England 0.70% | Hampshire CC area 0.25%. Important: citywide licensing expanded in September 2023, so licence counts before and after are not a like-for-like stock trend.

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Portsmouth had 3,107 records in licensed HMO categories in September 2026. 69.7% of the combined register was in Charles Dickens, Central Southsea and St Thomas. Census 2021 identified HMOs at 2.12% of Portsmouth dwellings, compared with 2.35% in Southampton, 0.70% in England and 0.25% in the Hampshire County Council area. Licence coverage expanded in September 2023, so licence counts are not a continuous measure of HMO stock.

Where this comes from

Portsmouth City Council combined HMO register; ONS Census 2021 RM192. Checked 23 September 2026. Data snapshot c146b9e51d83 from UK Stat Pack 257bc9d.

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