Kerbio

Article 4 by council › Stratford-on-Avon

HMO Article 4 in Stratford-on-Avon

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

No. Stratford-on-Avon had no HMO Article 4 direction in force when checked.

A small HMO of 3 to 6 people is permitted development in Stratford-on-Avon, subject to HMO licensing. Checked 28 September 2026.

The council's HMO advice and licensing pages do not mention an Article 4 direction. A scanned 'Direction Made under Article 4(1)' PDF exists on the site (doc 205759) but is not text readable and appears to be a site specific direction, not an HMO one.

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.

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.
Add to Chrome

Sources: Stratford-on-Avon council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.