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HMO restricted in defined areas

Article 4 HMO check — Exeter

Exeter City Council has published 14 Article 4 Direction areas to planning.data.gov.uk, 1 of which remove the C3 → C4 small-HMO right and 13 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 Exeter

Strictness
HMO restricted
HMO areas
1
Rights removed
35

Why this tier: 1 HMO direction (C3→C4 right removed) · 6 householder rights also removed (extensions, roofs, exterior).

  • 3LChange of use: dwellinghouse (C3) to small HMO (C4) — up to 6 unrelated occupiers · 1 area
  • 24ASchedule 2 Part 24 Class A · 7 areas
  • 2AGates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure · 2 areas
  • 31BSchedule 2 Part 31 Class B · 2 areas
  • 11BDemolition of buildings · 1 area
  • 11CDemolition of gates, fences, walls · 1 area
  • 1AEnlargement, improvement or alteration of a dwellinghouse (extensions) · 1 area
  • 1COther alterations to the roof (rooflights) · 1 area
  • 1DPorches · 1 area
  • 1GChimneys, flues or soil and vent pipes · 1 area
  • 1HMicrowave antenna (satellite dishes) · 1 area
  • 31ASchedule 2 Part 31 Class A · 1 area
  • 4BTemporary use of land (28-day rule) · 1 area
  • 5ASchedule 2 Part 5 Class A · 1 area
  • 6AAgricultural development on units of 5 hectares or more · 1 area
  • I1-1950Schedule 2 Part ? Class I1-1950 · 1 area
  • I2-1950Schedule 2 Part ? Class I2-1950 · 1 area
  • II1-1977Schedule 2 Part ? Class II1-1977 · 1 area
  • II2-1977Schedule 2 Part ? Class II2-1977 · 1 area
  • IV1-1977Schedule 2 Part ? Class IV1-1977 · 1 area
  • IV2-1977Schedule 2 Part ? Class IV2-1977 · 1 area
  • IX-1977Schedule 2 Part ? Class IX-1977 · 1 area
  • VI1-1977Schedule 2 Part ? Class VI1-1977 · 1 area
  • VI2-1977Schedule 2 Part ? Class VI2-1977 · 1 area
  • VI3-1977Schedule 2 Part ? Class VI3-1977 · 1 area
  • VII-1977Schedule 2 Part ? Class VII-1977 · 1 area
  • X-1977Schedule 2 Part ? Class X-1977 · 1 area
  • XV-1977Schedule 2 Part ? Class XV-1977 · 1 area
  • XVI-1977Schedule 2 Part ? Class XVI-1977 · 1 area
  • XVII-1977Schedule 2 Part ? Class XVII-1977 · 1 area
  • XVIII(C)-1977Schedule 2 Part ? Class XVIII(C)-1977 · 1 area
  • XVIII(D)-1977Schedule 2 Part ? Class XVIII(D)-1977 · 1 area
  • XVIII(E)-1977Schedule 2 Part ? Class XVIII(E)-1977 · 1 area
  • XVIII(I)-1977Schedule 2 Part ? Class XVIII(I)-1977 · 1 area
  • XXII1-1977Schedule 2 Part ? Class XXII1-1977 · 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 Exeter City Council

  • 2023 Article 4 Direction
    In force 2024-12-23

Plus 13 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

Do I need planning permission for an HMO in Exeter?

If the property sits inside one of Exeter City Council'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.

What exactly is prohibited without permission in Exeter's Article 4 areas?

Across the 14 published areas: Change of use: dwellinghouse (C3) to small HMO (C4) — up to 6 unrelated occupiers (1 area); Schedule 2 Part 24 Class A (7 areas); Gates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure (2 areas); Schedule 2 Part 31 Class B (2 areas); Demolition of buildings (1 area); Demolition of gates, fences, walls (1 area); Enlargement, improvement or alteration of a dwellinghouse (extensions) (1 area); Other alterations to the roof (rooflights) (1 area); Porches (1 area); Chimneys, flues or soil and vent pipes (1 area); Microwave antenna (satellite dishes) (1 area); Schedule 2 Part 31 Class A (1 area); Temporary use of land (28-day rule) (1 area); Schedule 2 Part 5 Class A (1 area); Agricultural development on units of 5 hectares or more (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class I1-1950 (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class I2-1950 (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class II1-1977 (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class II2-1977 (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class IV1-1977 (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class IV2-1977 (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class IX-1977 (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class VI1-1977 (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class VI2-1977 (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class VI3-1977 (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class VII-1977 (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class X-1977 (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class XV-1977 (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class XVI-1977 (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class XVII-1977 (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class XVIII(C)-1977 (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class XVIII(D)-1977 (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class XVIII(E)-1977 (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class XVIII(I)-1977 (1 area); Schedule 2 Part ? Class XXII1-1977 (1 area).

How many Article 4 Directions has Exeter City Council published?

14 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 2024-12-23. Councils can add or amend directions at any time.

What happens if I convert to an HMO inside an Article 4 area without permission?

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.

Is this an official council check?

No. Article4Check UK is an independent private service that reads the open data Exeter City Council publishes to planning.data.gov.uk. Always confirm with the council's planning department before committing money.

Council website: https://www.exeter.gov.uk · All councils, ranked