Planning restrictions must be put in place in order to force landlords to seek planning permission for both large and small HMOs to stop their proliferation in the centre of Middlesborough says Labour Mayor Chris Cooke (pictured).

A small House in Multiple Occupation is a property where at least three people from more than one household share kitchens and bathrooms.

A large HMO is when five or more people from more than one household share kitchens and bathrooms.

Antisocial behaviour frequently associated with HMOs.”

According to Teesside Live, the proposed rule changes will come about as a result of a number of conversations between Middlesbrough Council and Cleveland Police about the level of antisocial behaviour that is ‘frequently associated with HMOs,’ with officers recommending a stricter approach.

Middlesbrough Council approved an Article Four Direction back in February but did not include the town centre, which was covered by MDC.

Concentration of HMOs

Concerns were subsequently raised by MDC that “landlords could focus their attention upon the Mayoral Development Areas (including the town centre) as they would not need to go through the planning process and that this could result in a concentration of HMOs and further exacerbate existing issues”.

A report compiled by MDC on the subject states: “There is a strong HMO market in central Middlesbrough, which has a focus on the “student sector”.

It adds that “regulations would assist with the regeneration objectives and would enable MDC to control the location and quality of new HMOs and help deliver MDC’s aspiration of providing high quality, affordable housing for all”.