We wish to register our opposition to recent proposals to restrict the number of House of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs) licenses in the Central Conservation Area of St Andrews. An HMO cap or moratorium would not achieve any of the intended outcomes: the creation of affordable housing for young families, or sustaining a mixed community. Instead, an HMO cap would compound existing problems including lack of affordable housing for both students and local people, would force unscrupulous landlords underground, and encourage purchase of two-bedroomed buy-to-let properties - preventing the existence of a 'mixed community' even further.

This is an official petition of the University of St Andrews Students' Association.