A consultation on the proposed introduction of controls on Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Hartlepool has been launched.
Hartlepool Borough Council is seeking views on an Article 4 Direction which, if confirmed, will mean that landlords can no longer convert a standard house into a small HMO without planning permission.
Whilst large HMOs accommodating more than six unrelated people with shared facilities already require planning permission, smaller HMOs are legally classed as permitted developments and do not.
The proposed Article 4 Direction reflects concerns over the unregulated spread of HMOs and the impact they can have on communities, including anti-social behaviour, waste management and parking issues.
People can take part in the consultation by completing a survey on the Council’s Your Say Our Future consultation platform at https://yoursay.hartlepool.gov.uk/hmosurvey
All comments/representations must be received by 5pm on Friday 23rd January 2026.
Councillor Karen Oliver, Chair of the Council’s Neighbourhood Services Committee, said: “Whilst HMOs are an integral part of the housing market, they can in some cases have an adverse impact on neighbourhoods.
“An Article 4 Direction would give us the power to control the spread of small HMOS in the same way that large HMOs are already regulated.
“We’re keen to hear the views of as many interested individuals and groups as possible, so I would encourage them to complete the survey.”
The proposed Article 4 Direction runs alongside a similar proposal put forward by Hartlepool Development Corporation for the area of the town that it covers, and it will only take effect once confirmed by the Council’s Neighbourhood Services Committee with notification to the Secretary of State.