What does the direction change?
Without a relevant restriction, a national planning route can allow a C3 dwelling to become a small C4 HMO. An Article 4 direction withdraws that route within its stated scope. It does not prohibit every HMO or decide the planning application in advance. [3] [1]
It also does not replace HMO licensing. Planning controls the use of the property; licensing applies its own occupancy, management and housing-condition tests. The two council teams may therefore need different applications for the same project. [4]
Why local boundaries and dates matter
In Ealing, an immediate direction for Perivale took effect on 30 October 2024. A further direction took effect on 14 November 2025 for the remainder of Ealing, excluding the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation area. A statement that the same direction covers every part of the borough would omit that distinction. [2]
Waltham Forest publishes a borough-wide direction removing the small-HMO change-of-use right, including for houses and flats. Its page should be read alongside the mapped and written direction for the property being assessed. [3]
Harrow announced the introduction of its small-HMO planning controls in June 2026. This is a further reason not to rely on an older London-wide list when checking a new project. [5]
These are examples, not an exhaustive register of all 32 boroughs.
A reliable address-level check
- Find the council's Article 4 page and the specific HMO direction.
- Open the map and establish whether the property lies within its boundary.
- Read which permitted-development provision is withdrawn.
- Check the effective date and any subsequent confirmation, replacement or cancellation material.
- Compare that history with the evidence for the existing lawful use. [1] [2] [6]
An announcement or consultation notice should not be treated as a permanent record of current coverage. Merton's published material, for example, includes directions introduced at different times and stages. The relevant final documents matter more than a headline saying a borough has an Article 4 direction. [6]
Existing HMOs and future changes
Distinguish evidence of an established lawful use from a proposal to start an HMO or increase its operation. A licence is not proof of planning permission, and an Article 4 check alone does not establish the lawful existing occupancy. [4] [3]
Collect relevant planning decisions and the occupation evidence before committing to a purchase or fit-out. For a new proposal, assess the local HMO policy, accommodation quality and neighbour impacts rather than assuming that removing permitted development is the same as refusing all applications. [7] [1]