Read the Bury HMO guide — areas, dates, what is removed, planning route →
Article 4 HMO check — Bury
Bury Metropolitan Borough Council has published 3 Article 4 Direction areas to planning.data.gov.uk, 1 of which remove the C3 → C4 small-HMO right and 2 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 Bury
Why this tier: 1 HMO direction (C3→C4 right removed) · HMO direction described as borough/city/town-wide · 10 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
- 1AEnlargement, improvement or alteration of a dwellinghouse (extensions) · 2 areas
- 1BAdditions or alterations to the roof (roof extensions, dormers) · 2 areas
- 1COther alterations to the roof (rooflights) · 2 areas
- 1DPorches · 2 areas
- 1EBuildings incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse (outbuildings, sheds) · 2 areas
- 1FHard surfaces within the curtilage (driveways) · 2 areas
- 1GChimneys, flues or soil and vent pipes · 2 areas
- 2AGates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure · 1 area
- 2BMeans of access to a highway · 1 area
- 2CExterior painting · 1 area
- 3QChange of use: agricultural buildings to dwellinghouses · 1 area
- 3RChange of use: agricultural buildings to flexible commercial use · 1 area
- 3SChange of use: agricultural buildings to state-funded school · 1 area
- 4CTemporary use of buildings for film-making · 1 area
- 9ESchedule 2 Part 9 Class E · 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 Bury Metropolitan Borough Council
- Bury borough HMOIn force 2026-07-16
Plus 2 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 Bury Metropolitan Borough Council's 1 HMO Article 4 Direction area — 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—, yes: the permitted development right to change a house (C3) into a small HMO (C4, 3–6 occupiers) is withdrawn and a full planning application is required.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 3 published areas: Change of use: dwellinghouse (C3) to small HMO (C4) — up to 6 unrelated occupiers (1 area); Enlargement, improvement or alteration of a dwellinghouse (extensions) (2 areas); Additions or alterations to the roof (roof extensions, dormers) (2 areas); Other alterations to the roof (rooflights) (2 areas); Porches (2 areas); Buildings incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse (outbuildings, sheds) (2 areas); Hard surfaces within the curtilage (driveways) (2 areas); Chimneys, flues or soil and vent pipes (2 areas); Gates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure (1 area); Means of access to a highway (1 area); Exterior painting (1 area); Change of use: agricultural buildings to dwellinghouses (1 area); Change of use: agricultural buildings to flexible commercial use (1 area); Change of use: agricultural buildings to state-funded school (1 area); Temporary use of buildings for film-making (1 area); Schedule 2 Part 9 Class E (1 area).
3 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 2026-07-16. 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 Bury Metropolitan Borough Council publishes to planning.data.gov.uk. Always confirm with the council's planning department before committing money.
Council website: https://www.bury.gov.uk · All councils, ranked