Article 4 by council › Bedford
HMO Article 4 in Bedford
Do you need planning permission to turn a family home into a small HMO in Bedford? What the council's own direction says, with dates, the map and the source.
In parts. Bedford has HMO Article 4 directions in named areas.
named areas: urban areas of Bedford and Kempston In force since 22 November 2020. 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.
Council pages: the HMO Article 4 has been in force since November 2020 and removes permitted development for change of use of dwelling houses to small HMOs in the urban areas of Bedford and Kempston. The 22 November 2020 date comes from the council's HMO page as reported in search extracts (Executive confirmed the non-immediate direction on 28 October 2020). The final order PDF and area map are linked from the Article 4 directions page.
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.
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.
Sources: Bedford council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.