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Article 4 by council › Swale

HMO Article 4 in Swale

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

Not confirmed. The Swale council page could not be read.

swale.gov.uk blocked the fetch tool (403 and a JavaScript challenge) so the Article 4 page could not be read directly. The council's committee site records Full Council on 1 October 2025 resolving to commence a borough wide immediate Article 4 direction. Treat as very likely whole borough in force from 21 July 2026 pending a manual check of the council page. Use the postcode checker below, which asks the national planning dataset for the exact point, and confirm with the council.

ProposedSearch snippets of the council's Article 4 page and local press say an immediate borough wide Article 4(1) direction removing C3 to C4 rights was made on 21 July 2026 with consultation to 4 September 2026, alongside an HMO SPD.Council pageswale.gov.uk/planning-and-regeneration/article-4-directionsNational dataset22 direction areas published, 0 for HMOsChecked28 September 2026

swale.gov.uk blocked the fetch tool (403 and a JavaScript challenge) so the Article 4 page could not be read directly. The council's committee site records Full Council on 1 October 2025 resolving to commence a borough wide immediate Article 4 direction. Treat as very likely whole borough in force from 21 July 2026 pending a manual check of the council 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.

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