Planning Consultation: Article 4 Direction Covering Small HMOs
Article 4 (1) direction on small HMOs
The Council intend to withdraw permitted development rights for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). A small HMO is where between three and six unrelated people share basic amenities, such as a kitchen or bathroom.
It is intended that this Article 4 Direction covers the whole of the Borough of North Warwickshire once confirmed following a consultation period lasting 6 weeks starting from the 6th of November 2025. The formal consultation will close on 18th December 2025.
Why we have brought in this change
We also want to avoid over concentrations of HMOs and better manage the potential impact and standard of small HMOs in North Warwickshire.
The Article 4 (1) Direction sits alongside other Council measures to improve the standard of HMOs within the borough including the HMO licensing scheme, where HMOs with more than 5 now require a license.
What the direction means
The effect of the Article 4(1) Direction is that permitted development rights to change any dwelling house (C3) located with the borough into an HMO (C4) do not apply and therefore planning permission is required.
An Article 4 Direction does not mean an application for a small HMO will be automatically refused and is not a ban on this form of accommodation. It is a form of control to ensure inclusive and mixed neighbourhoods and not result in a harmful overconcentration.
You can download a copy of the Article 4 (1) Directions for the borough, including a map defining the area and report and evidence base considered at the Planning and Development Board on 6th October 2025.
It is important to note that Article 4 Directions do not apply retrospectively so existing occupied HMOs would not require permission, and all types of 3-6 person HMOs would be covered, including those used by working age professionals and house shares.
If you wish to make a comment on this, please respond by Thursday 18th December 2025, which is the deadline referred to in the Statutory Notice.
October 2025