Article 4 by council › Warrington
HMO Article 4 in Warrington
Do you need planning permission to turn a family home into a small HMO in Warrington? What the council's own direction says, with dates, the map and the source.
Yes. The whole of Warrington is covered by an HMO Article 4 direction.
whole district (Central 6 wards confirmed direction plus an immediate borough-wide direction covering all remaining wards) In force since 25 September 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 Warrington.
Council page: the Central 6 wards direction (Orford, Poplars and Hulme, Fairfield and Howley, Latchford East, Latchford West, Bewsey and Whitecross) was made September 2025 and confirmed (notice May 2026); a second immediate direction covering all remaining wards came into force 25 September 2026, so C3 to C4 change now needs planning permission across the borough. Sealed directions and notices are linked as PDFs.
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: Warrington council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.