Article 4 by council › Hinckley and Bosworth
HMO Article 4 in Hinckley and Bosworth
Do you need planning permission to turn a family home into a small HMO in Hinckley and Bosworth? What the council's own direction says, with dates, the map and the source.
In parts. Hinckley and Bosworth has HMO Article 4 directions in named areas.
named areas: a defined area of Hinckley town centre and nearby streets; defined areas in and around Barwell and Earl Shilton In force since 1 May 2026. 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 Article 4 page: the direction covers 'a defined area of Hinckley town centre and nearby streets', 'Effective from 1 May 2026', with a downloadable map and street list; consultation closed 27 March 2026. A second direction for defined areas of Barwell and Earl Shilton took effect from 14 August 2026 per council news of 12 August 2026 (https://www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/news/article/573/new_rules_for_shared_houses_in_barwell_and_earl_shilton), with maps on the Barwell and Earl Shilton consultation pages.
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: Hinckley and Bosworth council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.