Tougher HMO rules to be introduced in county

Residents have campaigned to stop new multi-occupant houses

Council leaders hope new measures to control the number of shared homes will help balance communities across a county.

Tougher rules are set to be introduced by Durham County Council to combat the rapid increase in homes in multiple occupation (HMO).

Councillors will vote on plans to force all HMOs, regardless of size, to go through the full planning process under Article 4 regulations on 21 July.

Currently, properties for between three and six residents can be converted without receiving planning permission.

Concerned residents previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the increase in HMOs had negatively impacted their neighbourhoods.

Councillor Lyndsey Fox, cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: "During the past few years, we have seen a steady increase in HMOs, with the number rising more significantly since 2021.

"An overconcentration of this type of household can have a negative impact on day-to-day life for communities, often because of issues such as increased noise, the general appearance of properties, refuse management and parking issues."

She also highlighted the longer term impacts of the loss of family housing and the impact on community cohesion.

Concerns from residents

Article 4 regulations are currently in place in areas around Durham popular with students.

Now, members of Durham County Council's cabinet will consider undertaking a consultation on the introduction of a countywide order.

Councillors in Darlington recently approved a similar proposal.

Fox said the council already use a range of powers to crackdown on HMO-related issues, such as planning and licensing enforcement and environmental health notices.

But the council was still hearing concerns from residents about the impact such properties were having in the region, she said.

"Implementing the Article 4 Direction across the county will avoid concentrations of HMOs in alternative locations to where we are seeing issues now," she said.