Article 4 HMO check — Ipswich
Ipswich Borough Council has published 7 Article 4 Direction areas to planning.data.gov.uk, 1 of which remove the C3 → C4 small-HMO right and 6 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 Ipswich
Why this tier: 1 HMO direction (C3→C4 right removed) · 9 householder rights also removed (extensions, roofs, exterior).
- 3LChange of use: dwellinghouse (C3) to small HMO (C4) — up to 6 unrelated occupiers · 1 area
- 2CExterior painting · 5 areas
- 1AEnlargement, improvement or alteration of a dwellinghouse (extensions) · 4 areas
- 1COther alterations to the roof (rooflights) · 4 areas
- 1DPorches · 4 areas
- 1EBuildings incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse (outbuildings, sheds) · 4 areas
- 1FHard surfaces within the curtilage (driveways) · 4 areas
- 1GChimneys, flues or soil and vent pipes · 4 areas
- 1HMicrowave antenna (satellite dishes) · 4 areas
- 2AGates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure · 4 areas
- 11CDemolition of gates, fences, walls · 2 areas
- 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 Ipswich Borough Council
- Article 4 Direction for Small HMOsIn force 2024-06-01
Plus 6 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 Ipswich Borough 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4 Direction area, yes: the permitted development right to change a house (C3) into a small HMO (C4, 3–6 occupiers) is withdrawn and a full planning application is required.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.
Across the 7 published areas: Change of use: dwellinghouse (C3) to small HMO (C4) — up to 6 unrelated occupiers (1 area); Exterior painting (5 areas); Enlargement, improvement or alteration of a dwellinghouse (extensions) (4 areas); Other alterations to the roof (rooflights) (4 areas); Porches (4 areas); Buildings incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse (outbuildings, sheds) (4 areas); Hard surfaces within the curtilage (driveways) (4 areas); Chimneys, flues or soil and vent pipes (4 areas); Microwave antenna (satellite dishes) (4 areas); Gates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure (4 areas); Demolition of gates, fences, walls (2 areas); Schedule 2 Part 9 Class E (1 area).
7 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 2024-06-01. 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 Ipswich Borough Council publishes to planning.data.gov.uk. Always confirm with the council's planning department before committing money.
Council website: https://www.ipswich.gov.uk · All councils, ranked