Have your say on proposed changes to planning rules for small HMOs

North Tyneside Council is proposing a change to planning rules for small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

A small HMO is a property where 3 to 6 people who are not from the same household live together and share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom.

At the moment, a house can usually be converted into a small HMO without planning permission.

The Council is proposing to change this. If approved, anyone wanting to convert a house into a small HMO in the areas listed below would need to apply for planning permission first.

This change would come into effect on 6 August 2027.

Areas affected

The proposal would apply to the following wards:

  • Wallsend Central
  • Howdon
  • Chirton and Percy Main
  • North Shields
  • Whitley Bay North
  • Cullercoats and Whitley Bay South
  • Forest Hall
  • Longbenton and Benton

These areas have been identified because they already have some small HMOs and there is potential for more properties to be converted in the future.

Requiring planning permission would allow the Council to consider the impact of new HMOs on the local area before a decision is made.

Have your say

We would like to hear your views on these proposals.

Please complete the survey by 22 October 2026.

Before completing the survey, please view the supporting documents on this page including:

  • HMO map
  • Proposed Article 4 Direction (Legal Notice)
  • Frequently Asked Questions

If you are using a mobile phone, you will find these below the survey.

If you have any questions or need us to do anything differently (reasonable adjustments) to help you take part in this survey, including providing this information in another language or format, please contact the Planning Team on 0191 643 2310 or email: Planning.policy@northtyneside.gov.uk

North Tyneside Council is proposing a change to planning rules for small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

A small HMO is a property where 3 to 6 people who are not from the same household live together and share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom.

At the moment, a house can usually be converted into a small HMO without planning permission.

The Council is proposing to change this. If approved, anyone wanting to convert a house into a small HMO in the areas listed below would need to apply for planning permission first.

This change would come into effect on 6 August 2027.

Areas affected

The proposal would apply to the following wards:

  • Wallsend Central
  • Howdon
  • Chirton and Percy Main
  • North Shields
  • Whitley Bay North
  • Cullercoats and Whitley Bay South
  • Forest Hall
  • Longbenton and Benton

These areas have been identified because they already have some small HMOs and there is potential for more properties to be converted in the future.

Requiring planning permission would allow the Council to consider the impact of new HMOs on the local area before a decision is made.

Have your say

We would like to hear your views on these proposals.

Please complete the survey by 22 October 2026.

Before completing the survey, please view the supporting documents on this page including:

  • HMO map
  • Proposed Article 4 Direction (Legal Notice)
  • Frequently Asked Questions

If you are using a mobile phone, you will find these below the survey.

If you have any questions or need us to do anything differently (reasonable adjustments) to help you take part in this survey, including providing this information in another language or format, please contact the Planning Team on 0191 643 2310 or email: Planning.policy@northtyneside.gov.uk