Article 4 by council › South Cambridgeshire
HMO Article 4 in South Cambridgeshire
Do you need planning permission to turn a family home into a small HMO in South Cambridgeshire? What the council's own direction says, with dates, the map and the source.
No. South Cambridgeshire had no HMO Article 4 direction in force when checked.
A small HMO of 3 to 6 people is permitted development in South Cambridgeshire, subject to HMO licensing. Note: The draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan policy H/MO says the Councils 'are considering introducing an Article 4 Direction' for C3 to C4 change of use 'in particular locations'; nothing has been made. Checked 28 September 2026.
The council's HMO legislation page covers licensing and management regulations only and makes no mention of Article 4. The Greater Cambridge Shared Planning (joint service of Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire) draft Local Plan consultation page says an Article 4 direction is being considered with no date given.
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: South Cambridgeshire council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.