Article 4 by council › Merton
HMO Article 4 in Merton
Do you need planning permission to turn a family home into a small HMO in Merton? What the council's own direction says, with dates, the map and the source.
Yes. The whole of Merton is covered by an HMO Article 4 direction.
whole borough: seven eastern wards (Colliers Wood, Cricket Green, Figge's Marsh, Graveney, Lavender Fields, Longthornton, Pollards Hill) under an immediate direction made 2022-11-17 and confirmed 2023-04-19; the remaining 13 wards under an immediate direction made and in force 2026-03-24 In force since 24 March 2026. Converting a family home (use class C3) to a small HMO of 3 to 6 people (class C4) needs full planning permission anywhere in Merton.
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 Merton
Mandatory HMO licence: 5 or more people forming 2 or more households sharing facilities.
Additional licensing: yes, named wards: Colliers Wood, Cricket Green, Figge's Marsh, Graveney, Lavender Fields, Longthornton, Pollards Hill (from 19 June 2023), ends 23 September 2028.
Selective licensing: yes, named wards: Figge's Marsh, Graveney, Longthornton, Pollards Hill (from 19 June 2023), ends 23 September 2028.
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: Merton council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.