Article 4 HMO check — Bristol
Bristol City Council has published 16 Article 4 Direction areas to planning.data.gov.uk, 7 of which remove the C3 → C4 small-HMO right and 9 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 Bristol
Why this tier: 7 HMO directions (C3→C4 right removed) · multiple HMO areas.
- 3LChange of use: dwellinghouse (C3) to small HMO (C4) — up to 6 unrelated occupiers · 7 areas
- REMOVES PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT RIGHT THAT ALLOWS CHANGE OF USE FROM DWELLINGHOUSE (USE CLASS C3) TO HMO (USE CLASS C4)Schedule 2 Part ? Class REMOVES PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT RIGHT THAT ALLOWS CHANGE OF USE FROM DWELLINGHOUSE (USE CLASS C3) TO HMO (USE CLASS C4) · 7 areas
- DESIGNATION MADE UNDER ARTICLE 4 OF THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT (GENERAL DEVELOPMENT ORDER) 1973Schedule 2 Part ? Class DESIGNATION MADE UNDER ARTICLE 4 OF THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT (GENERAL DEVELOPMENT ORDER) 1973 · 4 areas
- 1971 MADE UNDER ARTICLE 4 OF THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING GENERAL DEVELOPMENT ORDER 1963Schedule 2 Part ? Class 1971 MADE UNDER ARTICLE 4 OF THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING GENERAL DEVELOPMENT ORDER 1963 · 1 area
- AS AMENDED (“THE GPDO) DIRECTION MADE UNDER ARTICLE 4(1) OF THE GPDO TO WHICH ARTICLE 5 APPLIES.Schedule 2 Part ? Class AS AMENDED (“THE GPDO) DIRECTION MADE UNDER ARTICLE 4(1) OF THE GPDO TO WHICH ARTICLE 5 APPLIES. · 1 area
- DESIGNATION MADE UNDER ARTICLE 4 OF THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1971 (GENERAL DEVELOPMENT ORDERS 1977 AND 1981)Schedule 2 Part ? Class DESIGNATION MADE UNDER ARTICLE 4 OF THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1971 (GENERAL DEVELOPMENT ORDERS 1977 AND 1981) · 1 area
- THE CITY AND COUNTY OF BRISTOL (HENBURY) DIRECTIONSchedule 2 Part ? Class THE CITY AND COUNTY OF BRISTOL (HENBURY) DIRECTION · 1 area
- TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (GENERAL PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT)(ENGLAND) ORDER 2015Schedule 2 Part ? Class TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (GENERAL PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT)(ENGLAND) ORDER 2015 · 1 area
- TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING GENERAL PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT ORDER 1995 DIRECTION MADE UNDER ARTICLE 4(1) TO WHICH ARTICLE 5 APPLIES. SHALL COME INTO FORCE ON NOVEMBER 4TH 2012.Schedule 2 Part ? Class TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING GENERAL PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT ORDER 1995 DIRECTION MADE UNDER ARTICLE 4(1) TO WHICH ARTICLE 5 APPLIES. SHALL COME INTO FORCE ON NOVEMBER 4TH 2012. · 1 area
- TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING GENERAL PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT ORDER 1995 DIRECTION MADE UNDER ARTICLE 4(1) TO WHICH ARTICLE 5(4) APPLIES.Schedule 2 Part ? Class TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING GENERAL PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT ORDER 1995 DIRECTION MADE UNDER ARTICLE 4(1) TO WHICH ARTICLE 5(4) APPLIES. · 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 Bristol City Council
- Redland Ward (1999 ward boundary)In force 2012-10-21
- Article 4 NorthIn force 2020-06-29
- Article 4 EastIn force 2020-06-29
- Article 4 SouthIn force 2020-06-29
- Article 4 Avonmouth VillageIn force 2020-06-29
- Clifton Ward (1999 ward boundary)In force 2012-10-21
- Ashley Ward, Cabot Ward, Clifton East Ward, Cotham Ward and Lawrence Hill Ward (1999 ward boundary)In force 2011-12-11
Plus 9 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 Bristol City Council's 7 HMO Article 4 Direction areas, 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 16 published areas: Change of use: dwellinghouse (C3) to small HMO (C4) — up to 6 unrelated occupiers (7 areas); Schedule 2 Part ? Class REMOVES PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT RIGHT THAT ALLOWS CHANGE OF USE FROM DWELLINGHOUSE (USE CLASS C3) TO HMO (USE CLASS C4) (7 areas); Schedule 2 Part ? Class DESIGNATION MADE UNDER ARTICLE 4 OF THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT (GENERAL DEVELOPMENT ORDER) 1973 (4 areas); Schedule 2 Part ? Class 1971 MADE UNDER ARTICLE 4 OF THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING GENERAL DEVELOPMENT ORDER 1963 (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class AS AMENDED (“THE GPDO) DIRECTION MADE UNDER ARTICLE 4(1) OF THE GPDO TO WHICH ARTICLE 5 APPLIES. (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class DESIGNATION MADE UNDER ARTICLE 4 OF THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1971 (GENERAL DEVELOPMENT ORDERS 1977 AND 1981) (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class THE CITY AND COUNTY OF BRISTOL (HENBURY) DIRECTION (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (GENERAL PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT)(ENGLAND) ORDER 2015 (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING GENERAL PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT ORDER 1995 DIRECTION MADE UNDER ARTICLE 4(1) TO WHICH ARTICLE 5 APPLIES. SHALL COME INTO FORCE ON NOVEMBER 4TH 2012. (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING GENERAL PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT ORDER 1995 DIRECTION MADE UNDER ARTICLE 4(1) TO WHICH ARTICLE 5(4) APPLIES. (1 area).
16 Article 4 areas are currently published on planning.data.gov.uk, of which 7 are HMO-related (C3→C4); the most recent HMO direction came into force 2020-06-29. 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 Bristol City Council publishes to planning.data.gov.uk. Always confirm with the council's planning department before committing money.
Council website: https://www.bristol.gov.uk · All councils, ranked