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Article 4 by council › Bath and North East Somerset

HMO Article 4 in Bath and North East Somerset

Do you need planning permission to turn a family home into a small HMO in Bath and North East Somerset? What the council's own direction says, with dates, the map and the source.

In parts. Bath and North East Somerset has HMO Article 4 directions in named areas.

named areas: the whole of the City of Bath only (not the rest of the district) In force since 1 July 2013. Inside those areas a small HMO of 3 to 6 people needs full planning permission; outside them it is permitted development, subject to licensing. Check the exact address on the council's map or with the postcode checker below.

Coversnamed areas: the whole of the City of Bath only (not the rest of the district)In force from1 July 2013Made or confirmed1 July 2013Council pagewww.bathnes.gov.uk/local-plan-core-strategy-and-placemaking-Checked8 September 2026

Check an exact postcode

A direction can cover part of a council, and the national dataset is incomplete. This asks the planning data service for the exact point and falls back to the council's own statement.

Licensing in Bath and North East Somerset

Mandatory HMO licence: 5 or more people forming 2 or more households sharing facilities.

Additional licensing: could not be verified from the council page.

Selective licensing: none found. Council HMO page lists mandatory HMO licensing services only; no selective scheme mentioned.

Full licensing detail for Bath and North East Somerset

What an Article 4 direction means

HMO Article 4 directions remove the permitted-development right to convert a family home (C3) to a small HMO (C4, 3 to 6 people). Inside one, that conversion needs full planning permission. Councils may also run additional licensing (smaller HMOs) or selective licensing (all private rentals) in designated areas. Planning permission and licensing are separate: a licence does not grant planning permission, and permission does not remove the need for a licence.

See this on every listing.Kerbio puts the Article 4 answer, licensing, the council's HMO register and sold prices on the Rightmove, Zoopla or OnTheMarket page itself. Free for 7 days, then £39 a month.
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Sources: Bath and North East Somerset council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.