Article 4 by council › Spelthorne
HMO Article 4 in Spelthorne
Do you need planning permission to turn a family home into a small HMO in Spelthorne? What the council's own direction says, with dates, the map and the source.
Yes. The whole of Spelthorne is covered by an HMO Article 4 direction.
whole borough (phased: Staines, Stanwell North, Ashford North and Stanwell South wards from 29 August 2025; all remaining wards from 13 March 2026) In force since 13 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 Spelthorne.
Council page: 'Planning permission is now required to convert a dwelling house into any HMO, irrespective of size, in all wards within the Borough.' First direction made 21 August 2024, confirmed 18 February 2025, effective 29 August 2025 for three wards (map: /sites/default/files/migration/media/26988/...pdf). Second direction made 5 March 2025, confirmed 17 December 2025, effective 13 March 2026 for the rest of the borough.
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: Spelthorne council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.