𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

A Reform UK council leader has insisted a register of Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) will be published online following the rape of a 12-year-old girl by an asylum seeker. The leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Councillor George Finch, said he remains “100% committed” to making the information available despite concerns about the safety of vulnerable people living in HMOs. The plan has led to warnings that publishing addresses could put some residents at risk. The issue has become particularly sensitive following the case of Afghan asylum seeker Ahmad Mulakhil, who abducted and raped a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton in July 2025.

Mulakhil, 23, was jailed for 15 years in March after being convicted of rape, child abduction, two counts of sexual assault and taking an indecent video of the girl. He had also admitted a further rape charge before his trial.

The case caused widespread anger in the town and was followed by protests. According to CoventryLive, Mr Finch told a full council meeting that he still intends to make the HMO register available online despite questions over the possible consequences.

He said: “I will be releasing the HMO register when the time is right. We are 100% committed to that.” The council currently maintains a public register of licensed HMOs, but its website says it can only be viewed in person at the Town Hall.

Some properties housing vulnerable people are excluded for privacy and safety reasons. Conservative group leader Kris Wilson raised concerns about what could happen if more information was made easily available online.

He warned that HMOs can house people fleeing domestic abuse and other vulnerable residents, and asked what assessment had been made of the risks. Mr Finch acknowledged those concerns, saying: “I said, at cabinet, that I do know that people within the HMO register could be domestic violence victims, could be care leavers, could be very, very vulnerable people.”

But he said the administration remained committed to publishing the register and linked the policy to concerns following the attack on the 12-year-old girl. Mr Finch added: “People need to know who lives next door, who lives over the road from a school or a park or an alleyway.

“This is why this administration is 100% committed to releasing the HMO register.” Labour councillors also challenged some of the language used during the debate.

Councillor Tony Venson pointed out that many professionals also live in HMOs and warned against making assumptions about residents because of their skin colour. Mr Finch responded: “You should not just assume someone on the colour of their skin; that is blatantly wrong, and I don’t advocate that, and none of my colleagues does here.”

The council says its existing HMO register is required under the Housing Act 2004. Its current policy restricts how it can be accessed and excludes certain properties because of privacy or safety concerns.