KerbioHMO Article 4 changes: October 2026
Three councils switched on HMO Article 4 since last month, six more have confirmed start dates, and fifteen are partway through making one. Every item is checked against the council's own page.
The government's national planning dataset has Article 4 areas from 113 councils, but only 47 of them publish their HMO areas there. That's why we check every council's own page, every month.
Now in force
New since the September check. Converting a family home to a small HMO needs planning permission in these areas.
The whole borough. An immediate direction now covers every ward outside the central six; it lapses on 25 March 2027 unless the council confirms it after the consultation, which closes 19 October 2026.
Coatham ward, Redcar. Confirmed on 11 June 2026.
Now the whole borough: nine wards since 15 March 2026, plus the remaining seven under an immediate direction made on 15 May 2026, which needs confirming by about 15 November 2026.
Confirmed, with a start date
Decided. Small HMO conversions are still permitted development until the date shown.
Scunthorpe town wards.
The town of Kidderminster.
The whole borough. Confirmed on 26 February 2026.
Six named wards. Confirmed on 9 June 2026.
Large parts of Ilkeston and Long Eaton, and parts of Sawley and Sandiacre. Confirmed on 5 March 2026.
Potters Bar Parkfield, Potters Bar Oakmere, Potters Bar Furzefield, and Bentley Heath and The Royds wards.
Made, waiting to be confirmed
The council has made the direction. It only takes effect if confirmed, from the date shown.
The whole council area except Hartlepool Development Corporation land, if confirmed. We found no confirmation on the council's site yet.
Borough-wide immediate direction, in force since 12 June 2026. It lapses unless confirmed by 11 December 2026.
The main urban area, replacing the 2012 direction, subject to confirmation.
The whole district, if confirmed. Consultation closed 16 August 2026.
All homes in Goole. Consultation closed 16 June 2026.
The whole borough, if confirmed. Consultation closed 24 September 2026.
Wallsend Central, Howdon, Chirton and Percy Main, North Shields, Whitley Bay North, Cullercoats and Whitley Bay South, Forest Hall, Longbenton and Benton, if confirmed.
On the way
Approved in principle, out to consultation, or due a decision. Nothing in force yet.
Cabinet approved introducing a small-HMO direction (reported as immediate and borough-wide). Not yet published when we checked.
A report on introducing an HMO Article 4 direction is due before Cabinet.
A borough-wide direction covering all types of home, proposed to start a year after it is made.
Cabinet authorised a borough-wide direction, followed by consultation and a twelve-month notice period.
Cabinet authorised a borough-wide direction, subject to consultation and confirmation.
A city-wide direction proposed as part of a wider HMO package.
An immediate direction for St Martin's and Nethermayne wards plus a borough-wide one, approved by Cabinet but not yet made.
A borough-wide direction approved in principle, subject to an evidence study.
Also gathering evidence or exploring a direction: Solihull, Gravesham, Tonbridge and Malling, South Kesteven, Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire, Sandwell, Southend-on-Sea, Newark and Sherwood, Bassetlaw (more areas) and Broxtowe (more areas).
Check a postcode
Compiled by Kerbio from each council's own website and the national planning dataset. Dates as published by the council; directions awaiting confirmation can change or lapse. General information, not legal or planning advice: always confirm with the council before you buy or convert.