How Long Have HMO’s Been Around?

I came across a fascinating article at the weekend about the change in household living habits over the last 300 years and it got me thinking about how our modern interpretation and societal prejudices has changed our perception of HMO’s for good. 

A box of ones own  ably written by the BBC and featured in Dundee University’s Design Blog, the article talks about how our modern concept of “family” living has changed over the centuries.

Back in the 18th century, it was common for a man and wife, together with children, lodgers, housekeepers, other employed staff and relations to the owners living in the one house.  A kind of super-HMO I guess in so far as these were often large houses with multiple rooms, living quarters and people occupying them.

But this wasn’t uncommon and these types of HMO’s existed across the country!  People who worked together would often live together supporting each other in their working and private lives.

Move this forward to the Dickensian-image of the greedy landlord renting out hovels to poor working class people by the room or the nosy landlady snooping around the rooms of her lodgers, and your all too familiar picture and perception of a modern day house of multiple occupany starts to appear.

Its a shame that people can’t see HMO’s for what they are – an affordable fun way of renting for young and old professionals with a built-in community of people that can help and support you along the way.