Article 4 HMO check — Brent
London Borough of Brent has published 162 Article 4 Direction areas to planning.data.gov.uk, 1 of which remove the C3 → C4 small-HMO right and 161 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 Brent
Why this tier: 1 HMO direction (C3→C4 right removed) · 9 householder rights also removed (extensions, roofs, exterior) · commercial change-of-use rights also removed.
- 3LChange of use: dwellinghouse (C3) to small HMO (C4) — up to 6 unrelated occupiers · 1 area
- 3MAChange of use: Class E (commercial, business, service) to dwellinghouses · 111 areas
- 20ZASchedule 2 Part 20 Class ZA · 50 areas
- 1DPorches · 33 areas
- 2CExterior painting · 33 areas
- 1AEnlargement, improvement or alteration of a dwellinghouse (extensions) · 32 areas
- 1COther alterations to the roof (rooflights) · 32 areas
- 1EBuildings incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse (outbuildings, sheds) · 32 areas
- 1FHard surfaces within the curtilage (driveways) · 32 areas
- 1GChimneys, flues or soil and vent pipes · 32 areas
- 2AGates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure · 32 areas
- 2BMeans of access to a highway · 32 areas
- 14AInstallation of solar equipment on domestic premises · 31 areas
- 14DSchedule 2 Part 14 Class D · 31 areas
- 14HSchedule 2 Part 14 Class H · 31 areas
- 11CDemolition of gates, fences, walls · 30 areas
- GROUND FLOOR 3MSchedule 2 Part ? Class GROUND FLOOR 3M · 17 areas
- GROUND FLOOR 3MASchedule 2 Part ? Class GROUND FLOOR 3MA · 17 areas
- OTHER FLOORS MASchedule 2 Part ? Class OTHER FLOORS MA · 17 areas
- 11BDemolition of buildings · 1 area
- A1Schedule 2 Part ? Class A1 · 1 area
- CSchedule 2 Part ? Class C · 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 London Borough of Brent
- Article 4 for HMOsIn force 2022-11-01
Plus 161 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 London Borough of Brent's 1 HMO Article 4 Direction area, yes: the permitted development right to change a house (C3) into a small HMO (C4, 3–6 occupiers) is withdrawn and a full planning application is required.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 162 published areas: Change of use: dwellinghouse (C3) to small HMO (C4) — up to 6 unrelated occupiers (1 area); Change of use: Class E (commercial, business, service) to dwellinghouses (111 areas); Schedule 2 Part 20 Class ZA (50 areas); Porches (33 areas); Exterior painting (33 areas); Enlargement, improvement or alteration of a dwellinghouse (extensions) (32 areas); Other alterations to the roof (rooflights) (32 areas); Buildings incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse (outbuildings, sheds) (32 areas); Hard surfaces within the curtilage (driveways) (32 areas); Chimneys, flues or soil and vent pipes (32 areas); Gates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure (32 areas); Means of access to a highway (32 areas); Installation of solar equipment on domestic premises (31 areas); Schedule 2 Part 14 Class D (31 areas); Schedule 2 Part 14 Class H (31 areas); Demolition of gates, fences, walls (30 areas); Schedule 2 Part ? Class GROUND FLOOR 3M (17 areas); Schedule 2 Part ? Class GROUND FLOOR 3MA (17 areas); Schedule 2 Part ? Class OTHER FLOORS MA (17 areas); Demolition of buildings (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class A1 (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class C (1 area).
162 Article 4 areas are currently published on planning.data.gov.uk, of which 1 is HMO-related (C3→C4); the most recent HMO direction came into force 2022-11-01. 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 London Borough of Brent publishes to planning.data.gov.uk. Always confirm with the council's planning department before committing money.
Council website: https://www.brent.gov.uk · All councils, ranked