Fife Council Housing Policies detrimental to Student Population?

There are new claims by the University of St Andrews that Fife Council housing policies are detrimental to the student population. There are rigid restrictions which regulate the licensing of Houses of Multiple Interest or HMO’s. A HMO is any house which contains more than two tenants who are not related, therefore these policies effect most potential student housing.
The restrictions state that new-build houses must be purpose built to become HMOs and other policies make it almost impossible for existing properties to become HMOs. The St Andrews Residents Association expressed their concern of the effect of HMOs on the town and areas of social housing. The University has suggested alterations to these restrictions. However, they may raise already high prices and prevent lower income students from applying.