Article 4 HMO check — Cambridge
Cambridge City Council has published 18 Article 4 Direction areas to planning.data.gov.uk, 0 of which remove the C3 → C4 small-HMO right and 18 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 Cambridge
Why this tier: 4 householder rights also removed (extensions, roofs, exterior).
- 11BDemolition of buildings · 17 areas
- 1FHard surfaces within the curtilage (driveways) · 1 area
- 1GChimneys, flues or soil and vent pipes · 1 area
- 2AGates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure · 1 area
- 2CExterior painting · 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 Cambridge City Council
No direction in the published data is flagged as HMO-related by its code or text — the council may have uploaded its HMO direction without that detail. Run a postcode check and read the direction document.
Plus 18 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
Cambridge City Council's published Article 4 Directions remove other permitted development rights (demolition of buildings; hard surfaces within the curtilage (driveways); chimneys, flues or soil and vent pipes), not the C3→C4 HMO right on the published record. A small HMO (3–6 occupiers) would ordinarily be permitted development, but confirm with the council — records are sometimes incomplete. A large HMO (7+) always needs permission.
Across the 18 published areas: Demolition of buildings (17 areas); Hard surfaces within the curtilage (driveways) (1 area); Chimneys, flues or soil and vent pipes (1 area); Gates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure (1 area); Exterior painting (1 area).
18 Article 4 areas are currently published on planning.data.gov.uk, of which 0 are HMO-related (C3→C4). 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 Cambridge City Council publishes to planning.data.gov.uk. Always confirm with the council's planning department before committing money.
Council website: https://www.cambridge.gov.uk · All councils, ranked