Durham County Council has been urged to introduce special controls to manage the number of HMOs opening in communities affected by housing issues. 

A recent petition asked the council to adopt a policy that informs all residents and the wider community of potential new applications for HMOs in the East Durham area.

It was signed by 153 people amid warnings that HMOs have become a “really contentious issue” on social media. 

The local authority was told how some of County Durham’s most deprived areas are targeted by private landlords opening HMOs. 

Campaigners have previously appeared at County Hall in Durham to protest against HMOsCampaigners have previously appeared at County Hall in Durham to protest against HMOs (Image: The Northern Echo)

Read more: Plans to convert Seaham home into HMO scrapped after vandalism

Councillor Kevin Shaw, of Dawdon ward in Seaham, called for special planning controls for HMOs. 

Speaking at a scrutiny meeting on Tuesday, he said: “It’s causing real concern in and around Durham City, as we see much-needed and valuable family housing being converted. It’s a real issue when planning applications come to the committee. Members are constantly in a dilemma. 

“We’re now seeing a growing number of applications for change of use from family homes in the wider county including some of the most deprived areas, specifically in East Durham. Anyone who looks at social media knows it’s a really contentious issue.”

Landlords or agents must apply for planning permission to convert homes into HMOs for more than six people. If the landlord or agent rents out a house to six occupants or fewer, it is considered permitted development, and planning permission is not required. 

However, in some cases, the council can require planning permission for HMOs with six or fewer occupants in areas with a high density of HMOs where there is evidence of a detrimental impact on residents. 

A notice posted onto a property in Seaham, which was previously subject to an HMO application but was later withdrawnA notice posted onto a property in Seaham, which was previously subject to an HMO application but was later withdrawn (Image: The Northern Echo)

Cllr Shaw added: “We’re talking about areas which are already in special measures, and covered by selected licensing schemes to reduce the problems associated with the private rental sector such as deprivation, low property value, anti-social behaviour, and increased crime rates. These are being further exacerbated by the proliferation of HMOs in these areas. 

“We all know HMOs provide much-needed housing, but we need to look at and understand the impact, and how future provision of this type of housing can be managed strategically to deliver both the benefits and mitigate the impact to protect our communities and services. It is now a very contentious issue that has been going on for the last few years. 

“We need to look at potentially introducing supplementary planning control if that’s necessary.”

Durham County Council said landlords or agents managing a property for five or more occupiers must apply for an HMO licence, but they don’t need to apply until the property is occupied by tenants, meaning local authorities have no control over a property being converted into an HMO and no insight into who the tenants will be. 

It added that it is legally bound to grant a five-year HMO licence if the applicant meets the nationally set requirements.

There are currently 103 designated Selective Licencing areas in County Durham. Licence holders must comply with conditions to make sure the properties and tenancies are managed effectively. 

Michael Kelleher, head of planning and housing, said the council has introduced specific measures in Durham City, where there are a high number of HMOs. 

HMO applications have been submitted for Frederick Street, Seaham, this yearHMO applications have been submitted for Frederick Street, Seaham, this year (Image: The Northern Echo)

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But such measures have not been implemented elsewhere yet. 

Mr Kelleher said: “In East Durham, there is a very low proportion of HMOs and therefore we cannot justify applying to Government for an Article 4 Direction in this area.

“Ensuring towns and villages offer a range of accommodation to meet the needs of our communities, especially families and older people, is the key focus of our housing strategy.”