Cynthia Leveridge has lived on Mansfield’s Princes Street for 47 years, but these days the 75-year-old barely pauses as she lists what she says are the offences committed by her new neighbours: “Drinking, swearing, shouting, druggin’.”

“It used to be lovely here. Everyone knew everyone. It was quiet, and children could play in the park. That’s all changed now,” she says.

Like many long-standing residents, Cynthia has watched in disbelief as the once-peaceful suburban street has taken in a steady stream of new arrivals.

Over the past few years, numerous three-bedroom terraced houses on Princes Street—once home mainly to local families—have been converted into houses in multiple occupation, or HMOs. Landlords are seeking larger returns by accommodating more tenants in properties that were built for far fewer people.

Residents including Cynthia accuse the council of turning a blind eye. They say the spread of HMOs has weakened the area’s social fabric, doubled the number of cars, contributed to a rise in anti-social behaviour and left communal bins overflowing.

Tensions intensified on September 15, when the owners of number 13 Princes Street applied for planning permission to house ten people in the modest property. The building was already a licensed HMO for six tenants.

The three-storey house originally had three bedrooms but was renovated to contain six, with two on each floor. Under the latest plans, four bedrooms would be “retrofitted” to accommodate couples, while five rooms would be equipped with hob cookers.

The garden, meanwhile, would make room for nine wheelie bins. In their planning application, the owners described the property as “underutilised” to support the proposed increase from six to ten occupants. Despite residents’ dismay, the plans have since been approved with conditions.

“That sounds like a hotel, not a home,” one angry resident remarked.

So how did Princes Street become a symbol of the HMO crisis spreading across residential areas of Britain?

Government guidance defines an HMO as a property occupied by at least three people from more than one household.

That means people from different families living together and sharing facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom. Student accommodation is perhaps the most familiar example.

But as single renters—and increasingly couples—struggle to afford homes of their own, demand for shared accommodation has grown. It increased by 2.3 per cent between 2024 and 2025.

Landlords have responded by adapting their properties, attracted by the prospect of charging rent for each room rather than leasing an entire house to one household.

A Freedom of Information request found that 41,162 applications were made to convert homes into HMOs in 2018.

That number climbed to 57,725 in 2024. By 2025, the UK was estimated to have 472,823 HMOs.

One factor behind the rapid growth of HMOs is the Government’s effort to move asylum seekers from hotels into communities in an attempt to reduce the asylum bill.

Matthew Pennycook, the Minister for Housing and Planning, admitted in the Commons earlier this year: ‘Dispersed accommodation, including HMOs, is an important tool that local authorities can use to accommodate those seeking refuge as their claims are assessed.’

Despite more recent pledges – such as from Immigration Minister Anna Turley last month – to use ‘larger basic accommodation like former military sites’, there are currently more than 72,000 asylum seekers living in non-hotel accommodation, including flats and HMOs.

In 2023, 28,000 asylum seekers had been placed in 6,000 HMOs, a number that is thought to have risen in the past three years.

The total cost of supporting asylum seekers is more than £4billion a year, an increasing share of which goes to the private landlords of HMO properties.

Last month, Breckland District Council in Norfolk took steps to make it harder for homes to be repurposed into HMOs after government officials indicated a desire to move 240 asylum seekers into such properties in the area.

So just how many HMOs are there on Princes Street?

If official Mansfield Council records are to be believed, the answer is a mere three. But this is entirely misleading. 

Mansfield Council insists on an HMO licence only for so-called ‘large HMOs’: those housing five or more tenants. 

This is, of course, more than the official figure of three tenants that actually makes a property an HMO in law. 

The council does not collect or release information on properties beneath the five-person threshold, meaning the true number of HMOs on Princes Street is unknown.

‘There are definitely more than they’re saying,’ says 36-year-old Arthur, who rents a property on the street. ‘Whether it’s because they don’t need a licence or just haven’t bothered and the council won’t do anything, I don’t know.

‘But house prices are pricing ordinary families out and the landlords are charging people like students huge amounts, sometimes £800 a room each month when it should be half of that for a box room in a shared house.’

Indeed, according to Rightmove, the hammer price for properties on Princes Street has risen 36 per cent on last year. 

The average price is now about £143,000 while semi-detached properties – often more suitable for conversion into HMOs due to space – are valued at an average of £181,000. 

‘It’s close to the train station, which suits students at Nottingham University,’ Arthur explained. ‘And it’s five minutes from the hospital and I know we’ve got lots of NHS workers living here too.’

When the Daily Mail approached the three licensed HMOs on Princes Street this week, those at two of the properties refused to speak or reveal exactly who was staying there. 

In a third property, this paper was told – as Arthur alluded to – that healthcare workers were in residence.

While we cannot account for the numerous unlicensed HMOs on the street, there is no evidence that asylum seekers are being housed here, although – as we will discover – many residents have complained of new arrivals having little understanding of English, struggling to follow basic council rules or assimilate into this dislocated community.

But regardless of who exactly is moving into these renovated properties, local people are furious. ‘I’m absolutely fed up with the expansion of HMOs on our street,’ declared 57-year-old mother Lucy Bell.

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‘There’s no infrastructure for this. We’ve got pavement parking, noise and mess. Bin day is horrendous.’ 

Indeed, overflowing bins is a concern that came up repeatedly on the doorsteps of Princes Street, and so it might with rubbish and debris – including numerous hideous instances of pet mess – lining the pavements.

‘There’s a man across the road who has lived here for 80 years,’ Lucy continued.

‘He remembers when there was a little butcher’s and a chip shop. It was a tight-knit community, great for families. 

‘Now you’ve got ten-bedroom flats. We used to help each other and look after each other’s kids, but now there’s no community. It’s transient. They’re here for a short period.’

Michael, 60, agrees: ‘I’ve lived here for 52 years and there are too many of them,’ he says of the HMOs. 

‘The whole country has gone to the dogs, we’re overcrowded. There are no morals with some of these people. They’re ruthless when it comes to parking. The council can’t even get up to the bins. The community is 100 per cent gone.

‘We only found out about these HMOs because of the builders; it wasn’t even on the council website. We found out by accident. I’ve had enough.’

Unfortunately, things are set to get worse before they get better. As previously explained, one of the three licensed HMOs on Princes Street has applied to expand from six tenants to ten. 

Meanwhile, three further properties have applied for ‘large HMO’ status, taking the total number to six. A further half-dozen homes have already been split into flats.

Tom Miles, 38, has concerns about exactly who will be moving in, having lived here for 11 years and seen the street change. 

‘We’ve had druggies on the street and in the flats in the past. It’s just frustrating to see what’s happening to the area,’ he told us this week. 

‘I’ve seen houses turned into flats, and they’re filling up the glass recycling bins with rubbish. It feels like [the council] is turning a blind eye. They get more money from the HMO licence fees, so they want them filled.’

Florence, 71, agrees. ‘I’ve lived here all my life, I was born in the house next to mine. I don’t agree with what’s happening,’ she said, looking each way down the street in the mid-morning sun.

‘There are foreigners and Eastern Europeans, and the fly-tipping is terrible. There are cars everywhere because of the HMOs, and the bin men can’t make it in. 

‘Every house that becomes available, landlords come looking for a quick buck. These are two-up, two-down houses for families, not for HMOs.

‘Some of the people living in them can’t speak English, which means they don’t know what rubbish to put where. It’s just getting worse.’

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Mansfield Council could clamp down on HMOs by introducing a so-called ‘Article 4 Direction’ to restrict permitted development rights.

In other words, to make all HMOs require a licence, not just ‘large’ ones. This would in turn give Mansfield Council the authority to block all HMOs within its jurisdiction.

Local Labour MP Steve Yemm supports the idea, telling the Daily Mail: ‘I believe the council should seriously consider introducing an Article 4 Direction, alongside reviewing current licensing arrangements, to give local communities a greater say over the spread of HMOs and ensure development is properly managed.’

‘I’ve spoken to many residents who feel their concerns about HMOs have been ignored for too long,’ Yemm continued.

‘Issues such as parking pressures, overflowing bins and the erosion of community cohesion are having a real impact on neighbourhoods across Mansfield. 

‘HMOs have a legitimate role to play in meeting housing need, but in some areas the concentration has gone too far. 

‘When too many are clustered together, the impact on local communities and services can be significant. 

‘I’ve repeatedly raised these concerns and will continue pressing the council to take stronger action.

‘Residents are right to question whether enough is being done, and the council must urgently review its approach.’

Of course, this isn’t just a Princes Street problem.

In fact, council documents studied by the Daily Mail found a total of 173 licensed HMOs in Mansfield, that’s before taking into account the likely hundreds, if not thousands more, HMOs that currently don’t need a licence.

‘We understand residents’ concerns,’ a spokesman for Mansfield Council said. 

‘The council is currently reviewing HMO numbers, distribution and trends across Mansfield as part of our ongoing assessment of housing needs and local communities.

‘As part of this work, we are considering the range of planning powers available to local authorities, including whether an Article 4 direction may be appropriate.

‘Any decision would need to be based on robust evidence and a thorough assessment of local circumstances. 

‘We will continue to work with local partners, residents and elected representatives to ensure any future action is proportionate, evidence-based and in the best interests of Mansfield communities.’

For the residents of Princes Street any action may be too little, too late. 

‘Seventeen years ago, it was completely different,’ sighed father of two Justin, remembering the day he first moved to Princes Street. ‘Now half of the street seems to be HMOs.

‘There’s always work being done. Skips are left out for weeks on end. Landlords are just trying to make extra money, and it’s a shame.’

With the increase in HMO applications across the country, there will no doubt soon be similar stories to that of Princes Street – of communities hollowed out and neighbours turning into strangers.

Only then, when it is far too late, might landlords and councils wake up to the true cost to society of making all this extra money.

• Additional reporting: Seb Topan

Jules Neale appeared to send a pointed message to her former husband, Lachie Neale, on Saturday after publicly backing his AFL Grand Final opponents, Fremantle.

The 36-year-old mother of two separated from the Brisbane Lions midfielder late last year, following reports that he had been unfaithful with her close friend, Tess Crosley.

On the day of the highly anticipated match, the Perth-born beauty posted an Instagram image showing her embracing Fremantle’s purple-and-white colours.

In a selfie shared to her Stories, Jules beamed while sipping an orange drink beside a friend, with both women wearing Fremantle scarves.

Jules once proudly supported the Lions, particularly after Lachie joined the Brisbane club in 2019 following his six seasons with Fremantle between 2012 and 2018.

But after returning to Perth in the wake of their separation, the former AFL WAG appears to have switched allegiances and resumed her support for her hometown team.

The Grand Final post came after Jules attracted attention earlier this month at the Courting Summer 26/27 runway show at Claremont Quarter in Perth.

She made a dramatic entrance at the fashion event, turning heads in a daring ensemble that showcased her evolving personal style.

Jules wore a striking sheer white gown from Australian label Bec + Bridge, with the figure-hugging design highlighting her silhouette.

Her eye-catching appearance quickly became a talking point among guests and members of Perth’s fashion crowd.

Among those watching was fashion figure Pip Edwards, the co-founder of P.E Nation, who hosted the spring/summer showcase.

Pip also made an impression in a glamorous Zimmermann dress as she opened the evening, but appeared especially taken with Jules’ polished look.

The pair’s social media interaction continued the following day, when Jules uploaded a series of glamorous photographs and Pip responded with a heart emoji in the comments.

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Since ending her marriage to the AFL star late last year, Jules has focused on reshaping her public image and establishing herself in the fashion and lifestyle space.

After moving back to Perth, she has steadily grown an audience through beauty, wellness and lifestyle posts, attracting followers with her approach to health and everyday routines.

Earlier this year, Jules also appeared to make a veiled reference to her former relationship while beginning her new career as a social media influencer.

In February, she promoted Elle Macpherson’s WelleCo supplements in an Instagram video, using narration that seemed to allude to the upheaval in her personal life.

“I used to be religious about my WelleCo routine. And then I got a little distracted along the way,” Jules said in the clip.

‘I stopped showing up for myself the way I used to. But lately, I have been fighting my way back,’ she added.

‘There’s just something really powerful about rebuilding your glow quietly.’

Jules added that she finally feels like herself again.

‘Getting back into my @welleco routine has been such a simple change with a big impact. My mornings feel brighter, my days feel lighter and it feels like I’m choosing myself again,’ she added in the caption.

Jules has moved back to Perth following her split from Lachie, taking their two young children, Piper, four, and Freddie, one, with her.

She and Lachie split in November after she posted to Instagram that the Brisbane Lions star had ‘betrayed [her] in the most unimaginable way’.

Lachie later admitted their split was a result of his actions, after rumours swirled about an affair with Jules’ former friend Tess Crosley.

The footy player did not go into specifics, but admitted the couple had separated.

Despite a powerful nor’easter bearing down on the Northeast, a number of determined couples planned to continue with their Nantucket weddings this weekend.

At least 34 weddings are scheduled to take place on Nantucket island in Massachusetts this weekend, according to the Nantucket Current on X.

Their celebrations remained on schedule as the storm moved toward southeastern Massachusetts, bringing the threat of dangerous, potentially life-threatening conditions.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a high wind warning and high surf advisory for Nantucket at about 7:30 p.m. Friday, as heavy rain intensified.

The island was also under a coastal flood warning that was expected to remain in effect through Monday night, the NWS said.

For Boston couple Maggie Lynch, 29, and Paul Flanagan, 28, the forecast was the “worst-case scenario” for their Saturday wedding, which was expected to include 165 guests.

“When we picked Nantucket, we joked that as long as this exact thing didn’t happen, we’d be fine, and then, of course, it did,” Lynch told MassLive.

She said Nantucket has an “undeniable magic,” helping make the island one of New England’s most popular fall wedding destinations.

Flanagan said the couple’s main fear had always been a storm severe enough to prevent guests from reaching the island—exactly the situation that began unfolding as the nor’easter arrived.

Wedding planner Karina Crockett said the couple first began raising concerns about the weather on Monday.

The priority quickly became getting as many guests as possible to Nantucket before worsening conditions disrupted travel.

The couple, along with their friends and family, made every effort to reach the island by ferry and boat.

Some guests faced a two-and-a-half-hour boat journey from Hyannis, located along Cape Cod’s southern coast.

Crockett described the trip as “very rocky” and said one guest “toughed it out” to attend the wedding.

According to the outlet, at least 120 of the couple’s 165 guests had arrived in Nantucket by Thursday.

More guests reached the island on Friday, while the wedding team continued adjusting plans to accommodate the stormy conditions.

The average cost per wedding guest in Nantucket in 2026 is approximately $659, according to the Wedding Report. 

Robert Flanagan, Paul’s father, posted on social media that it was ‘windy as hell’ on the island.

He also posted a video of the powerful wind blasting a trio of flags.

In another post, the dad cracked that he couldn’t tell if he was seeing a ‘beautiful sunrise or the first glimpse of the apocalypse.’

Wedding plans on Cape Cod, which is about 30 miles north of Nantucket, have been affected as a result of the incoming storm, as well.

Wedding caterer Olive Chase said that the weather conditions were ‘really hard for the couples’ with scheduled outdoor weddings, according to the Cape Cod Times.

‘I am up to my ears right now,’ Chase told the outlet.

He said some couples had canceled or postponed plans, while others were fortunate enough to find indoor sites and push forward with the planned festivities.

As a whole, millions of people across the Northeast are likely to face power outages and travel disruptions because of the flooding and powerful gusts of wind brought on by the nor’easter.

Waves of nearly five feet were seen in the Nantucket Sound around 10pm Friday, according to the Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror.

High speed winds descended on the island starting Tuesday afternoon. 

That caused some ferry service to be canceled, which continued leading up to the weekend.

Most boats were canceled on Friday, though the peak of the storm is yet to arrive.

Elsewhere in Massachusetts, some people who live near Cape Cod traveled to the mainland before the storm arrived, according to the Boston Herald.

Southeastern Massachusetts, Nantucket, Cape Cod and nearby islands are expected to get hit with the strongest rain at four to six inches.

The US Coast Guard Northeast District has urged mariners and coastal residents to seek safe harbor as the nor’easter rages.

A nor’easter is a strong storm that forms along the East Coast of the US and is named for the northeast winds that blow over the Mid-Atlantic and New England when a low-pressure system sits over the ocean. 

Emma Field proudly backed her partner, Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale, from the stands at the 2026 AFL Grand Final on Saturday.

The 29-year-old brunette was spotted at the match wearing a jacket emblazoned with Neale’s name and jersey number.

Field shared photos from the game on Instagram, including images of herself with friends Milly and Sophie Shepherd.

Beaming for a selfie with her friends, she later posted another image showing the back of her black jacket.

Field and Sophie were pictured raising their arms as they cheered on the 33-year-old midfielder, with “Neale 09” printed across the backs of their coats.

The show of support came only hours after Field braved heavy rain on Saturday morning ahead of Neale’s AFL Grand Final appearance.

Neale’s clash with Fremantle began at 2.30pm AEST after he successfully appealed a one-match suspension that had threatened to end his premiership hopes.

Before the decisive match, Field took on the role of supportive partner by heading out into Melbourne’s bleak weather to collect coffee and food.

The brunette wrapped herself in an oversized pink jumper, pulling its hood over her long hair as she ventured outside without an umbrella.

She was also seen chatting with someone on the phone during the outing.

Neale and Field appeared relaxed and happy on Friday as they enjoyed brunch in Melbourne, shortly after he overturned the one-match ban that had put his Grand Final place at risk.

With his spot in Saturday’s decider confirmed, the two-time Brownlow medallist laughed and talked with Field while taking a break from the Grand Final preparations.

The pair visited a nearby cafe and sat outside, where Neale ate a burger before they made their way back to the team hotel.

Along the way, Neale kissed Field on the head. They continued smiling and chatting before he paused to sign autographs for fans waiting nearby.

Their Melbourne outing came two days after they were photographed holding hands during a coffee date in Brisbane, when Neale’s Grand Final hopes remained uncertain.

Although that uncertainty had disappeared by Friday, controversy still surrounded Neale as he attended the Grand Final parade.

Fremantle supporters booed and heckled the Lions midfielder as he travelled through Melbourne’s sporting precinct with teammate Ty Gallop.

The jeers continued during his interview with Lions great Alastair Lynch, as Dockers fans outnumbered Brisbane supporters along the parade route.

Asked whether he had feared he was in trouble during the week, Neale gave a frank response.

‘Most of the week, really. You’re never really sure how these things are going to go. Very happy that it’s gone my way,’ he said.

Neale had initially been handed a one-match suspension for striking Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan during their preliminary final.

The tribunal upheld the penalty on Tuesday after a hearing lasting four-and-a-half hours, before Brisbane successfully appealed on Thursday.

Speaking on Friday, Neale credited those closest to him with helping him through the uncertainty.

‘I’ve been okay. I’ve got great people around me that keep things pretty normal, other than having to attend a couple of tribunal hearings. Just glad I’m able to play tomorrow,’ he told Fox Footy.

Saturday’s clash with his former club could also be his Brisbane farewell, with Neale bound for Collingwood next year.

First, he has a third consecutive Lions premiership in his sights.

‘We’ve shown in previous finals, this year and in the last couple of years that we’re never out of it – and we truly believe it in every situation,’ Neale said.

‘We’ll draw on those experiences tomorrow for sure.’