Stricter HMO rules move a step closer in Hartlepool but councillor warns more work is needed

A Hartlepool Borough Council’s committee has recommended that the local authority adopts an Article 4 Direction across the borough.

It means that anyone intending to turn a family home into a house in multiple occupation (HMO) needs planning permission regardless of its size.

Under permitted development rules, smaller HMOs can be brought forward without planning permission, and incoming Article 4 powers would essentially withdraw this automatic right.

A similar Article 4 Direction was recently implemented by the Hartlepool Development Corporation on areas of the town covered by the HDC.

The wider Article 4 direction, which was agreed on a ‘non-immediate’ basis by full council back in September, 2025, applies to the entire borough.

A statutory consultation has already taken place as well as an information gathering exercise which showed public support.

The council’s neighbourhood and regulatory services committee has now recommended that full council confirm the direction.

Subject to councillors’ approval, the planning powers are expected to come into force on December 1, 2026.

A report to the committee said the HMO Article 4 Direction is considered necessary to “protect local amenity and the wellbeing of residents across the borough”.

It added: “Whilst the council is likely to be aware of the vast majority of the large HMOs above the planning threshold, there are concerns that all other smaller HMOs are not coming under the control and monitoring of planning.

“This could lead to a position whereby the true impact of HMOs is not being effectively considered and/or controlled and the harm to resident amenity and wellbeing is not properly understood and managed.

“Bringing in an Article 4 Direction would give the council more decision-making power and therefore greater potential to manage the overall quality, location and number of HMOs and better ensure residential amenity and wellbeing is maintained and/or enhanced.”

A recent council motion also called for progress on work relating to additional HMO licensing and selective landlord licensing.

Councillor Karen Oliver, welcomed progress on the Article 4 Direction, but stressed it was “not the end of the story” adding other licensing measures were “really critical”.

Council officers said councillors were due to receive a separate update on licensing issues.