Darlington Moves Ahead with Crackdown on HMOs As Hartlepool Local's Are Left Waiting Despite Resident Demands

Darlington Council Roadsign

Darlington Council are getting set to bring in Article 4 Regulations to limit the number of controversial HMO's being created in the town, but local residents in Hartlepool raise concerns over why its seemingly going to take a year for Hartlepool to introduce such measures.

7th July 2025

Tough new rules are set to be introduced in a bid to combat the rapid increase in shared housing throughout Darlington, with councillors said to be preparing to vote on a proposal to bring all Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs), regardless of size, under stricter planning regulations through the implementation of an Article 4 directive.

Currently, only HMOs housing more than six individuals require planning permission in Darlington as with much of Teesside. Under the proposed new rules, smaller HMO conversions would also have to go through the full planning process, allowing for greater public and council scrutiny. A council report due to be presented to cabinet members this week warns that HMOs can "create issues" if not properly planned or managed. While shared housing offers affordable and flexible options, concerns have grown about the concentration and standard of these properties.

Darlington council’s action marks a significant breakthrough for campaigners, who have long raised alarm over the unchecked spread of HMOs in certain neighbourhoods. Earlier this year, residents on Greenbank Road urged Darlington Council to take immediate action, claiming landlords were fuelling an "uncontrolled transformation" of their community.

"The introduction of an Article 4 direction will enable the council to control the location and quality of new HMOs," the report states. "This will help deliver the council's aspiration of providing quality, affordable housing for all. It would also provide more information on their whereabouts."

Leader for Darlington Council Stephen Harker commented ahead of Tuesday’s meeting (July 8): "In a few days, the cabinet will consider a report recommending introducing regulations that will mean smaller HMO conversions will be brought into the planning process. Residents are concerned, and we are listening."

In stark contrast, residents in neighbouring Hartlepool are being told to wait another year following Hartlepool Borough Council’s decision to launch a consultation on whether Article 4 regulations should be introduced. Whilst its claimed Darlington seems to be taking decisive action over the issue, Hartlepool’s process is left delayed, leaving many areas increasingly saturated with unregulated HMOs.

HBC Exposed previously reported back in June this year that a report went before the councils Neighbourhood Services Committee seeking the go ahead for a 12 month consultation on the process of introducing Article 4 regulations on Hartlepool's surge in unregistered HMO's, something campaigners & locals alike fear is a move going to come "too little too late"...

Local campaigners in Hartlepool have expressed frustration at Hartlepool Borough Council's apparent slow pace on the issue, with many arguing that action is needed now to stop further damage to residential streets. “We don’t need a year-long consultation – the issues are already plain to see,” said one resident from the town’s Burn Valley ward. “Darlington is moving to protect its communities, but Hartlepool's seems to be stuck in a holding pattern.”

With mounting pressure on housing, the delayed response has fuelled claims that Hartlepool Borough Council is failing to prioritise residents' concerns. Campaigners continue to push for an immediate Article 4 direction to halt the overdevelopment of HMOs before irreversible damage is done to neighbourhood cohesion and housing quality.