Read the Birmingham HMO guide — areas, dates, what is removed, planning route →
Article 4 HMO check — Birmingham
Birmingham City Council has published 13 Article 4 Direction areas to planning.data.gov.uk, 2 of which remove the C3 → C4 small-HMO right and 11 cover other permitted development rights. Enter a postcode to see which, if any, contain it.
Free teaser, no sign-up · Try NE2 2AL (Newcastle HMO Article 4) or SW1A 1AA (Westminster, non-HMO direction)
What is prohibited without planning permission in Birmingham
Why this tier: 2 HMO directions (C3→C4 right removed) · HMO direction described as borough/city/town-wide · 11 householder rights also removed (extensions, roofs, exterior).
- 3LChange of use: dwellinghouse (C3) to small HMO (C4) — up to 6 unrelated occupiers · 2 areas
- 1AEnlargement, improvement or alteration of a dwellinghouse (extensions) · 11 areas
- 1DPorches · 11 areas
- 1FHard surfaces within the curtilage (driveways) · 11 areas
- 2CExterior painting · 11 areas
- 1COther alterations to the roof (rooflights) · 10 areas
- 2AGates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure · 9 areas
- 1GChimneys, flues or soil and vent pipes · 8 areas
- 1EBuildings incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse (outbuildings, sheds) · 6 areas
- 1HMicrowave antenna (satellite dishes) · 6 areas
- 1BAdditions or alterations to the roof (roof extensions, dormers) · 5 areas
- 31BSchedule 2 Part 31 Class B · 4 areas
- 2BMeans of access to a highway · 1 area
Codes are GPDO 2015 Schedule 2 Part/Class as published by the council. "Removed" means a planning application is required for that work inside the area.
HMO Article 4 Directions published by Birmingham City Council
- SELLY OAK HMOIn force 2014-08-31
- CITY WIDE HMOIn-force date not stated
Plus 11 non-HMO Article 4 areas (conservation-area householder rights, commercial changes of use, etc.). A postcode check lists every one that contains the point.
FAQ
If the property sits inside one of Birmingham City Council's 2 HMO Article 4 Direction areas — and at least one is described as borough/city-wide —, yes: the permitted development right to change a house (C3) into a small HMO (C4, 3–6 occupiers) is withdrawn and a full planning application is required. Outside those areas a small HMO is normally permitted development. A large HMO (7+ occupiers) always needs permission. Check the exact postcode above.
Across the 13 published areas: Change of use: dwellinghouse (C3) to small HMO (C4) — up to 6 unrelated occupiers (2 areas); Enlargement, improvement or alteration of a dwellinghouse (extensions) (11 areas); Porches (11 areas); Hard surfaces within the curtilage (driveways) (11 areas); Exterior painting (11 areas); Other alterations to the roof (rooflights) (10 areas); Gates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure (9 areas); Chimneys, flues or soil and vent pipes (8 areas); Buildings incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse (outbuildings, sheds) (6 areas); Microwave antenna (satellite dishes) (6 areas); Additions or alterations to the roof (roof extensions, dormers) (5 areas); Schedule 2 Part 31 Class B (4 areas); Means of access to a highway (1 area).
13 Article 4 areas are currently published on planning.data.gov.uk, of which 2 are HMO-related (C3→C4); the most recent HMO direction came into force 2014-08-31. Councils can add or amend directions at any time.
It is a breach of planning control. The council can serve an enforcement notice requiring the HMO use to stop; ignoring it is a criminal offence with an unlimited fine. Lenders and insurers may also treat it as a breach of their terms.
No. Article4Check UK is an independent private service that reads the open data Birmingham City Council publishes to planning.data.gov.uk. Always confirm with the council's planning department before committing money.
Council website: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk · All councils, ranked