More Hartlepool Family Homes Lost to HMOs as Council Approves New Conversions...

HMO surge threatens yet more family housing across the town....

20th Sep 2025

Two more Hartlepool family homes are set to be converted into Controversial Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs), fuelling fresh concerns that landlords are worsening the town’s housing crisis.

The Teesside & Durham Post has learned that Hartlepool Borough Council has approved applications to turn 14 Kilwick Street in Stranton and 105 Lancaster Road into HMOs.

Labour Councillor for the Headland Matthew Dodds was the only town councillor who objected to the Lancaster Rd Development in his council ward.

The Lancaster Road decision has sparked debate, with Labour councillor Matthew Dodds (Headland & Harbour Ward) being the only councillor to raise an objection to the proposals. Cllr Dodds asked for the application to be referred to a full planning committee, but that request was reportedly rejected.

HMOs – where a single property is divided into rooms for multiple tenants – have become increasingly controversial across Hartlepool. Critics argue they attract crime and antisocial behaviour, disrupt community cohesion, and may even be used to house illegal migrants posing a threat in areas where there are children..

At present, landlords face very few barriers when looking to cash in on converting homes into HMOs for up to six tenants.

A simple “lawful development certificate” is usually all that’s required. But this could soon change, with proposals being considered to introduce whats known as an Article 4 Direction, which would force landlords to go through the full planning process, including scrutiny by a council committee.

Until at least 2026, however, the flood of new HMOs looks set to continue. Campaigners warn this trend is driving up rents in Hartlepool way past Local Housing Allowance rates, putting added strain on the limited stock of family housing, and pricing many local people out of the private rental market.

The latest approvals, they say, only reinforce fears that Hartlepool’s housing crisis is far from being solved.

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