Newcastle upon Tyne has active HMO controls in parts of the borough.
Newcastle splits bedroom minima by whether a communal lounge exists separately. With separate lounge: 6.51 m² single / 10.22 m² double / 13 m² non-couple share. Without separate lounge (bedroom doubles as living): 10 m² single / 15 m² double. Bedsit-style 1 person: 18.6 m² minimum. Kitchen 7 m² up to 6 persons +1 m² per extra to 13 m² max. Three licensing schemes (mandatory + additional + selective) overlap in different parts of the city — postcode-level area check matters.
Permitted development rights from C3 to C4 may be removed in specific areas of Newcastle upon Tyne. Check the council's Article 4 map against your target address.
Additional licensing applies in designated parts of the council area. Check whether the target address falls within scope.
Selective licensing requires all rented properties (including non-HMO) in designated areas to hold a licence. Verify the address sits inside or outside the designation.
Any HMO occupied by 5 or more people forming 2 or more households requires a mandatory HMO licence from the council. Fines for unlicensed operation can exceed £30,000.
Standard national minimum bedroom sizes from the HMO Management Regulations 2018 apply.
These ratios are the council's expected baseline. Larger HMOs may need additional bathrooms and kitchen facilities — plan for at least one bathroom per 4–5 tenants in 6-bed schemes.
Council policy mandates either a dedicated living room (≥11.5 m² for 3-5 persons, ≥14 m² for 6+), OR a combined living space ≥24 m² (3-5) / ≥30 m² (6+). Upload your floor plan to verify your layout meets this.
Enter your candidate postcode in Newcastle upon Tyne (or anywhere else in the UK) and we’ll surface the precise licensing and Article 4 status that applies to that address.