FAQs
- Small HMO: 3 to 6 people living together.
- Large HMO: More than 6 people living together.
- Wallsend Central
- Howdon
- Chirton and Percy Main
- North Shields
- Whitley Bay North
- Cullercoats and Whitley Bay South
- Forest Hall
- Longbenton and Benton
- Increased pressure on parking
- Waste and recycling management issues
- Noise and disturbance
- Loss of family housing
- The impact on neighbouring properties
- The character of the local area
- The number of existing HMOs nearby
- Parking arrangements
- Waste and recycling arrangements
- The quality of the accommodation being provided
- Complete the online survey
- Email planningpolicy@northtyneside.gov.uk
- Write to us at: Planning Team, Quadrant, The Silverlink North, Cobalt Business Park, NE27 0BY
What is a HMO?
A House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) is a property where people who are not part of the same household live together and share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom.
There are two types of HMO:
What is changing?
At the moment, a house can usually be converted into a small HMO without planning permission.
The Council is proposing to change this in certain parts of North Tyneside. If approved, anyone wanting to convert a house into a small HMO would need to apply for planning permission first.
This type of planning change is called an Article 4 Direction.
What about HMOs with more than six people?
No changes are proposed for large HMOs.
Planning permission is already required for HMOs with more than six residents, and this would continue.
Where would the change apply?
The proposed change would apply in:
These areas are shown on the map provided.
Why is the Council proposing this change?
HMOs provide an important source of housing for many people and can help meet local housing needs.
However, if too many HMOs become concentrated in one area, they can sometimes affect the character of a neighbourhood and create issues such as:
The Council has seen evidence of a gradual increase in HMOs in some parts of the borough. Requiring planning permission would allow the Council to consider the impact of new HMOs before a decision is made.
This is not a proposal to stop HMOs. It is intended to ensure that future proposals are considered on a case-by-case basis.
How would planning applications be assessed?
If the proposal is approved, applications for new HMOs would be assessed against local and national planning policies.
The Council would consider issues such as:
Can I comment on these proposals?
Yes.
We would like to hear your views on the proposed changes.
You can:
Comments must be received by 22 October 2026.
Please note that consultation responses may be published, but personal information will be removed.
I am thinking about converting a property into a small HMO. Does this mean I won't be able to do it?
Not necessarily.
The proposed change would mean that you would need to apply for planning permission before converting a property into a small HMO.
Each application would be considered on its own merits against planning policies and guidance.
The proposal is not a ban on HMOs.
I already own or manage a small HMO. Will I need planning permission?
No.
The proposed change would not apply to small HMOs that already exist when the Article 4 Direction comes into effect on 6 August 2027.
You would not need to apply for planning permission retrospectively.
Do HMOs still need a licence?
Yes, where licensing requirements apply.
The Council currently requires an HMO licence for properties with five or more occupants from more than one household who share facilities.
More information is available on the Council's website: Guidance for landlords on HMO standards.
What about the rest of the Borough?
The wards included in the Article 4 Direction are those where there is evidence to suggest that there already small concentrations of HMOs and a greater prevalence of the types of property which are potentially suitable for conversion. In relation to the remaining wards across the Borough, there was no evidence to indicate that there were existing concentrations of HMOs, and the inclusion of other wards could not be justified. It is recognised that bringing controls into some areas could mean that HMOs are established outside these areas. Data continues to be collected, and we will continue to monitor HMOs and their impact. If there is new evidence, there could be scope to review the coverage of the Article 4 Direction.