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Article 4 by council › Blackburn with Darwen

HMO Article 4 in Blackburn with Darwen

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

In parts. Blackburn with Darwen has HMO Article 4 directions in named areas.

named areas: all urban areas of the borough (Blackburn and Darwen), rural areas excluded In force since 9 August 2023. 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: all urban areas of the borough (Blackburn and Darwen), rural areas excludedIn force from9 August 2023Council pagewww.blackburn.gov.uk/land-and-property/article-4-directionsMapcouncil mapChecked28 September 2026

Council page: in August 2023 a new direction was introduced to restrict change of use from a family dwelling to an HMO in all urban areas of the borough, in force 9 August 2023, replacing a 2013 direction that covered certain wards only. Confirmed direction PDF is hosted at blackburn-darwen.org.uk (filename dated 28 July 2023) and an interactive map is linked. Local Plan policy DM06 (January 2024) also resists new HMOs.

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.

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: Blackburn with Darwen council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.