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Article 4 by council › Richmond upon Thames

HMO Article 4 in Richmond upon Thames

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

No. Richmond upon Thames had no HMO Article 4 direction in force when checked.

A small HMO of 3 to 6 people is permitted development in Richmond upon Thames, subject to HMO licensing. Checked 8 September 2026.

Coversno HMO direction; directions cover basements, Class E and office to residential, shops to financial services and conservation areasCouncil pagewww.richmond.gov.uk/article_4_directionsChecked8 September 2026

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 Richmond upon Thames

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

Additional licensing: none found. Council HMO pages describe only mandatory licensing (five or more occupiers in two or more households sharing amenities); no additional scheme mentioned

Selective licensing: none found. No selective licensing scheme mentioned on council HMO pages

Full licensing detail for Richmond upon Thames

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: Richmond upon Thames council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.