Article 4 by council › Hertsmere
HMO Article 4 in Hertsmere
Do you need planning permission to turn a family home into a small HMO in Hertsmere? What the council's own direction says, with dates, the map and the source.
No. Hertsmere had no HMO Article 4 direction in force when checked.
A small HMO of 3 to 6 people is permitted development in Hertsmere, subject to HMO licensing. Note: A confirmed non-immediate Article 4 direction covering Potters Bar Parkfield, Potters Bar Oakmere, Potters Bar Furzefield and Bentley Heath and The Royds wards comes into force on 6 May 2027; until then C3 to C4 change remains permitted development. Checked 28 September 2026.
Council notice of confirmation dated 12 August 2026: 'Hertsmere Borough Council has confirmed an Article 4 Direction made on 23 April 2026', 'The Direction will come into force on 6th May 2027', applying to the four Potters Bar wards and withdrawing C3 to C4 permitted development. Not in force yet, so recorded as none with the confirmed direction in proposed. Sealed direction: https://www.hertsmere.gov.uk/asset-library/sealed-article-4-direction-potters-bar-as-confirmed.pdf.
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: Hertsmere council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.