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North East council green lights borough-wide HMO restrictions

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Landlords wanting to convert homes into small HMOs in South Tyneside will now need to apply for planning permission.

The authority has approved an immediate borough-wide Article 4 direction after councillors highlighted the significant rise in HMO conversions in recent years, many of which have taken place without the council’s knowledge, The Chronicle reports.

It was told that an immediate direction was essential to “prevent a surge in applications during a 12-month notice period, which could undermine the policy’s intent”.

Identified

Between January 2024 and September 2025, at least 30 such cases were identified, along with 22 new HMO licences issued for larger properties. The council says residents and councillors have raised concerns regarding the impact of HMO developments on parking, noise, waste management and the character of local neighbourhoods.

The Lawe Top area in South Shields has operated under an Article 4 Direction for 10 years, which the council reports has proved effective in limiting further new HMOs.

Concerns

Councillor Ernest Gibson, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change, emphasised concerns around noise, waste, antisocial behaviour and overcrowding and singled out issues in the Beach Road area of South Shields where residents had reported problems linked to HMOs.

“The unchecked growth of HMOs serves no one, except for the landlords and for profit and from the lack of regulation,” says Gibson. “The direction will allow us to manage the growth responsibly and ensure that HMOs are located in proper locations and meet community standards, as well as supporting our climate change goal by reducing pressures on infrastructure and promoting sustainability in development, which we can only achieve by appropriate regulation.

“Delaying implementation [of the Article 4 Direction] would send the wrong message and could lead to a spike in [HMO] conversions before taking control.”

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Article 4 directions
Hmos

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