Residents are being asked for their views on proposals which would give the council greater control over the conversion of homes into Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in parts of North Tyneside.
An HMO is a home shared by several people, typically with shared facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom.
At present, a house can be converted into a small HMO for between three and six people without the owner having to apply for planning permission, but the Council is proposing to change this in selected areas of North Tyneside.
If the proposals go ahead, anyone wanting to convert a house into a small HMO in those areas would first need to apply for planning permission.
The proposals have been put forward because some areas already have concentrations of HMOs and a higher number of properties that could potentially be converted in future.
Requiring planning permission would mean we could look at each new proposal in context – including how many HMOs there already are nearby - and what impact another one could have on the surrounding area.
The Council would consider the potential impact of a new HMO before deciding whether it should be allowed. This would only affect future conversions, so anyone who owns a small HMO would not need to apply for planning permission because of the new rules.
Have your say on the proposed changes before the consultation closes on Thursday 22 October.