Article 4 by council › South Derbyshire
HMO Article 4 in South Derbyshire
Do you need planning permission to turn a family home into a small HMO in South Derbyshire? What the council's own direction says, with dates, the map and the source.
No. South Derbyshire had no HMO Article 4 direction in force when checked.
A small HMO of 3 to 6 people is permitted development in South Derbyshire, subject to HMO licensing. Checked 28 September 2026.
The council's conservation areas page describes Article 4 directions in Swadlincote, Shardlow, Melbourne and Ticknall (alterations, extensions, windows and doors) and Twyford (agricultural buildings). The council's HMO page covers licensing only. No mention of HMOs or C3 to C4 on either page.
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 Derbyshire council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.