Overview
- Durham County Council approved a countywide Article 4 Direction after a consultation with more than 1,400 responses and roughly 80% support, set to take effect on 17 August 2026.
- The measure ends permitted development for small HMOs so that all new HMOs, regardless of size, will need planning approval, with the Secretary of State notified of the decision.
- Targeted Article 4 controls already apply in parts of County Durham with high student concentrations, and the council cites rising HMO numbers since 2021 and community impacts as justification.
- Telford & Wrekin has scheduled a 4 December cabinet meeting to decide on housing strategy moves including possible Article 4 directions, noting 280 licensed HMOs in the borough, a 16% rise.
- Nuneaton & Bedworth says it is still gathering evidence before deciding whether to consult on an Article 4, while Bolton’s immediate rules introduced earlier this year drew largely positive feedback and will inform its Local Plan; Walsall implemented its direction in October following earlier approval, with Dudley and Birmingham already operating similar controls.