Article 4 by council › Greenwich
HMO Article 4 in Greenwich
Do you need planning permission to turn a family home into a small HMO in Greenwich? What the council's own direction says, with dates, the map and the source.
Yes. The whole of Greenwich is covered by an HMO Article 4 direction.
whole borough (non-immediate direction made September 2017) In force since 27 September 2018. Converting a family home (use class C3) to a small HMO of 3 to 6 people (class C4) needs full planning permission anywhere in Greenwich.
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 Greenwich
Mandatory HMO licence: 5 or more people forming 2 or more households sharing facilities.
Additional licensing: yes, whole borough (from 1 January 2024).
Selective licensing: yes, named wards: Woolwich Riverside, Woolwich Common, Shooters Hill, Plumstead Common, Plumstead Glyndon.
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: Greenwich council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.