Residents in Durham have complained of "unregulated HMOs" popping up in their communities, alleging that developers are adding extra bedrooms to properties without adequate planning permission. 

The house next door to Pauline and Michael Bartley, who live in Belmont, Durham, was purchased by developers when the previous family decided to sell up. 

But since then, the couple has said they have had "a nightmare", with "issue after issue", following developer Nick Swift's successful planning application to turn the house into a three-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO). 

Pauline said: "As soon as work started, we knew they were doing restructuring working inside. Internally, they were knocking - we know because we could see everything happening through the windows. 

"Then, the house was put up to let online as a six-bedroom, even though planning permission is just for three. 

"After Michael complained, it was listed as a four bed, and then once we spoke to the council planning department and asked if they'd done a site visit - which we don't think they had - they changed the advert to a three bed. 

"We complained, and it was taken down, but already another HMO has been approved on our development."

She added that she thinks this example represents a "bigger issue" for the city. 

Pauline said: "It feels like the Durham residents have no rights when it comes to the council, with developers putting in simple plans they know will be passed and then doing whatever they want. It's completely unregulated. 

"We've seen it ourselves, it's happened here in our street, and it must be happening in streets all over the city.

"People in the street have lodged complaints to the planning department, but we have basically been told there is nothing that the planning department will do unless there are more than three students there."

The Bartleys say that developer Nick Swift also owns student letting agent Harringtons, and after they complained about the property being a six-bed, amendments were made to the online advert to relist it as a three-bed. 

"It feels like the council and planners are ignoring emails from me and my husband Michael, as well as others on the street.

"It's like we have just been ignored or fobbed off -  this is the second HMO in our street now, the one around the corner from us constantly has sacks of rubbish dumped in the front and as you can imagine we are worried the same will happen next door."

But Durham County Council said it takes planning breaches "very seriously".

Michael Kelleher, head of planning and housing at Durham County Council, said: “In most parts of County Durham, planning permission is only required for large Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO), which accommodate more than six tenants from two or more households.

"However, in Durham City, where there is a higher proportion of HMOs, an Article 4 direction is in place that requires planning permission for small HMOs occupied by between three and six residents from two or more households. Small and large HMOs fall within different planning use classes and, as such, any change of use from a small to a large HMO would require planning permission.

“We take planning control breaches seriously and would encourage anyone with information about an alleged change of use without permission to contact us. We can then investigate the matter and take the appropriate action.

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“In addition to planning legislation, all landlords of HMOs occupied by five or more tenants from two or more households must apply for an HMO licence from the council.

"As part of this process, we undertake inspections to ensure the property is safe, has access to amenities and that other licensing conditions are being met. We also respond to any complaints made about individual properties.”

Harringtons did not respond to The Northern Echo's request for a comment.