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Article 4 by council › Preston

HMO Article 4 in Preston

Do you need planning permission to turn a family home into a small HMO in Preston? What the council's own direction says, with dates, the map and the source.

In parts. Preston has HMO Article 4 directions in named areas.

named areas: existing direction covers seven wards in inner Preston (Appendix A of the cabinet report); a new direction for the main urban area bounded by the M55, A582 Edith Rigby Way, M6 and River Ribble was made 29 Jan 2026 and is due in force 15 Feb 2027 In force since 18 February 2012. 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.

Coversnamed areas: existing direction covers seven wards in inner Preston (Appendix A of the cabinet report); a new direction for the main urban area bounded by the M55, A582 Edith Rigby Way, M6 and River Ribble was made 29 Jan 2026 and is due in force 15 Feb 2027In force from18 February 2012ProposedNon-immediate direction covering the main urban area made 29 Jan 2026 (council page, via search snippet), in force 15 Feb 2027 subject to confirmation; will replace the 2012 direction.Council pagewww.preston.gov.uk/article/12132/Article-4-Direction-on-HMOsChecked8 September 2026

preston.gov.uk pages returned HTTP 403; status confirmed from the council cabinet report hosted on lancashire.gov.uk. Ward names not listed in the report text.

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 Preston

Mandatory HMO licence: 5 or more people forming 2 or more households sharing facilities.

Additional licensing: could not be verified from the council page.

Selective licensing: could not be verified from the council page.

Full licensing detail for Preston

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.

See this on every listing.Kerbio puts the Article 4 answer, licensing, the council's HMO register and sold prices on the Rightmove, Zoopla or OnTheMarket page itself. Free for 7 days, then £39 a month.
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Sources: Preston council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.