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Strict — HMO banned without permission across a wide area

Read the Liverpool HMO guide — areas, dates, what is removed, planning route →

Article 4 HMO check — Liverpool

Liverpool City Council has published 1421 Article 4 Direction areas to planning.data.gov.uk, 21 of which remove the C3 → C4 small-HMO right and 1400 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 Liverpool

Strictness
Strict
HMO areas
21
Rights removed
75

Why this tier: 21 HMO directions (C3→C4 right removed) · multiple HMO areas · 14 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 · 21 areas
  • 1BAdditions or alterations to the roof (roof extensions, dormers) · 1019 areas
  • 1COther alterations to the roof (rooflights) · 998 areas
  • 1AEnlargement, improvement or alteration of a dwellinghouse (extensions) · 880 areas
  • 1DPorches · 789 areas
  • 1EBuildings incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse (outbuildings, sheds) · 777 areas
  • 1FHard surfaces within the curtilage (driveways) · 757 areas
  • 1GChimneys, flues or soil and vent pipes · 729 areas
  • 2AGates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure · 670 areas
  • 1HMicrowave antenna (satellite dishes) · 638 areas
  • 2BMeans of access to a highway · 586 areas
  • 2CExterior painting · 231 areas
  • 2EElectrical upstands for recharging vehicles · 225 areas
  • 2DElectrical outlets for recharging vehicles · 224 areas
  • 2FClosed-circuit television cameras · 224 areas
  • 24ASchedule 2 Part 24 Class A · 176 areas
  • INCOMPLETE DATASchedule 2 Part ? Class INCOMPLETE DATA · 85 areas
  • 3AChange of use: shop (E) to café/restaurant (former A3) · 49 areas
  • 17GSchedule 2 Part 17 Class G · 46 areas
  • 3CChange of use: pub / hot-food takeaway to shop or café · 34 areas
  • 17FSchedule 2 Part 17 Class F · 28 areas
  • 3DChange of use: A2 / drinking establishment / takeaway to shop · 20 areas
  • 3JChange of use: retail to assembly and leisure · 19 areas
  • 3TChange of use: business / hotel etc. to state-funded school or registered nursery · 19 areas
  • 3BSchedule 2 Part 3 Class B · 18 areas
  • 3ESchedule 2 Part 3 Class E · 18 areas
  • 3FSchedule 2 Part 3 Class F · 18 areas
  • 3GChange of use: shop / financial to mixed use with a flat · 18 areas
  • 3HSchedule 2 Part 3 Class H · 18 areas
  • 3ISchedule 2 Part 3 Class I · 18 areas
  • 3KSchedule 2 Part 3 Class K · 18 areas
  • 3MChange of use: shop / financial / takeaway etc. to dwellinghouse · 18 areas
  • 3NChange of use: amusement arcade / casino to dwellinghouse · 18 areas
  • 3OChange of use: offices (B1a) to dwellinghouses · 18 areas
  • 3PChange of use: storage / distribution to dwellinghouses · 18 areas
  • 3QChange of use: agricultural buildings to dwellinghouses · 18 areas
  • 3RChange of use: agricultural buildings to flexible commercial use · 18 areas
  • 3SChange of use: agricultural buildings to state-funded school · 18 areas
  • 3USchedule 2 Part 3 Class U · 18 areas
  • 3VChange of use between uses in a flexible planning permission · 18 areas
  • 16AElectronic communications code operators (telecoms masts, cabinets) · 15 areas
  • 16BSchedule 2 Part 16 Class B · 15 areas
  • 16CSchedule 2 Part 16 Class C · 15 areas
  • 16DSchedule 2 Part 16 Class D · 15 areas
  • 16ESchedule 2 Part 16 Class E · 15 areas
  • 17ESchedule 2 Part 17 Class E · 11 areas
  • 8ASchedule 2 Part 8 Class A · 10 areas
  • 8BSchedule 2 Part 8 Class B · 6 areas
  • 8CSchedule 2 Part 8 Class C · 6 areas
  • 8DSchedule 2 Part 8 Class D · 6 areas
  • 8ESchedule 2 Part 8 Class E · 6 areas
  • 8FSchedule 2 Part 8 Class F · 6 areas
  • 8GSchedule 2 Part 8 Class G · 6 areas
  • 8HSchedule 2 Part 8 Class H · 6 areas
  • 8ISchedule 2 Part 8 Class I · 6 areas
  • 8JSchedule 2 Part 8 Class J · 6 areas
  • 8KSchedule 2 Part 8 Class K · 6 areas
  • 8LSchedule 2 Part 8 Class L · 6 areas
  • 8MSchedule 2 Part 8 Class M · 6 areas
  • 8NSchedule 2 Part 8 Class N · 6 areas
  • 10ASchedule 2 Part 10 Class A · 2 areas
  • 32ASchedule 2 Part 32 Class A · 2 areas
  • 33ASchedule 2 Part 33 Class A · 2 areas
  • 3L(B)Schedule 2 Part ? Class 3L(B) · 2 areas
  • 6BAgricultural development on units of less than 5 hectares · 2 areas
  • 9ASchedule 2 Part 9 Class A · 2 areas
  • 9BSchedule 2 Part 9 Class B · 2 areas
  • 9CSchedule 2 Part 9 Class C · 2 areas
  • 9DSchedule 2 Part 9 Class D · 2 areas
  • 9ESchedule 2 Part 9 Class E · 2 areas
  • 25ASchedule 2 Part 25 Class A · 1 area
  • 25BSchedule 2 Part 25 Class B · 1 area
  • 6AAgricultural development on units of 5 hectares or more · 1 area
  • 6CSchedule 2 Part 6 Class C · 1 area
  • 6ESchedule 2 Part 6 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 Liverpool City Council

  • 53 Grey Road, Liverpool, L9 1AX
    In force 2025-07-22
  • 23 - 25 Belmont Road, Liverpool, L6 5BG
    In force 2016-08-02
  • 7 Honeys Green Precinct, Liverpool , L12 9JH
    In force 2018-07-20
  • 1-3 Croxteth Road, L8 3SE
    In force 2021-06-18
  • 17-19 Holt Road, Liverpool, L7 2PL
    In force 2017-04-11
  • 90 - 94 Townsend Lane, Tuebrook, LIVERPOOL, L6 0BB
    In force 2017-09-25
  • 133 Woolton Road, Wavertree, Liverpool , L15 6TB
    In force 2018-01-05
  • 133 Woolton Road, Wavertree, Liverpool, L15 6TB
    In force 2019-02-11
  • Charnock Road, Liverpool, L9 7ET
    In force 2018-08-06
  • 18A Florida Court, Liverpool, L19 9EF
    In force 2019-04-23
  • Land off Charnock Road, Liverpool, L9 7ET
    In force 2019-12-20
  • 50-60 Waterloo Road, Liverpool, L3 7BE
    In force 2021-03-18
  • 149 Picton Road, Liverpool, L15 4LG
    In force 2018-08-17
  • 133 Woolton Road, Liverpool, L15 6TB
    In force 2018-06-27
  • Land at the end of, Florida Court, Liverpool, L19 9EF
    In force 2015-12-07
  • Land at Edge Lane Retail Park bounded by Montrose Way, Edge Lane and Railway Line, Liverpool
    In force 2023-11-01
  • Sugar Brook Service Station, East Lancashire Road, Liverpool, L11 2ST
    In force 2012-08-31
  • 2A Myrtle Street, Liverpool, L7
    In force 2012-10-19
  • 2A Myrtle Street, Liverpool, L7
    In force 2011-12-19
  • Land at corner of Great Howard Street/Boundary Street, Liverpool, L5
    In force 2006-12-13
  • Former Service Station, 209 Great Howard Street, Liverpool, L5
    In force 2007-07-09

Plus 1400 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 Liverpool?

If the property sits inside one of Liverpool City Council's 21 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.

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

Across the 1421 published areas: Change of use: dwellinghouse (C3) to small HMO (C4) — up to 6 unrelated occupiers (21 areas); Additions or alterations to the roof (roof extensions, dormers) (1019 areas); Other alterations to the roof (rooflights) (998 areas); Enlargement, improvement or alteration of a dwellinghouse (extensions) (880 areas); Porches (789 areas); Buildings incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse (outbuildings, sheds) (777 areas); Hard surfaces within the curtilage (driveways) (757 areas); Chimneys, flues or soil and vent pipes (729 areas); Gates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure (670 areas); Microwave antenna (satellite dishes) (638 areas); Means of access to a highway (586 areas); Exterior painting (231 areas); Electrical upstands for recharging vehicles (225 areas); Electrical outlets for recharging vehicles (224 areas); Closed-circuit television cameras (224 areas); Schedule 2 Part 24 Class A (176 areas); Schedule 2 Part ? Class INCOMPLETE DATA (85 areas); Change of use: shop (E) to café/restaurant (former A3) (49 areas); Schedule 2 Part 17 Class G (46 areas); Change of use: pub / hot-food takeaway to shop or café (34 areas); Schedule 2 Part 17 Class F (28 areas); Change of use: A2 / drinking establishment / takeaway to shop (20 areas); Change of use: retail to assembly and leisure (19 areas); Change of use: business / hotel etc. to state-funded school or registered nursery (19 areas); Schedule 2 Part 3 Class B (18 areas); Schedule 2 Part 3 Class E (18 areas); Schedule 2 Part 3 Class F (18 areas); Change of use: shop / financial to mixed use with a flat (18 areas); Schedule 2 Part 3 Class H (18 areas); Schedule 2 Part 3 Class I (18 areas); Schedule 2 Part 3 Class K (18 areas); Change of use: shop / financial / takeaway etc. to dwellinghouse (18 areas); Change of use: amusement arcade / casino to dwellinghouse (18 areas); Change of use: offices (B1a) to dwellinghouses (18 areas); Change of use: storage / distribution to dwellinghouses (18 areas); Change of use: agricultural buildings to dwellinghouses (18 areas); Change of use: agricultural buildings to flexible commercial use (18 areas); Change of use: agricultural buildings to state-funded school (18 areas); Schedule 2 Part 3 Class U (18 areas); Change of use between uses in a flexible planning permission (18 areas); Electronic communications code operators (telecoms masts, cabinets) (15 areas); Schedule 2 Part 16 Class B (15 areas); Schedule 2 Part 16 Class C (15 areas); Schedule 2 Part 16 Class D (15 areas); Schedule 2 Part 16 Class E (15 areas); Schedule 2 Part 17 Class E (11 areas); Schedule 2 Part 8 Class A (10 areas); Schedule 2 Part 8 Class B (6 areas); Schedule 2 Part 8 Class C (6 areas); Schedule 2 Part 8 Class D (6 areas); Schedule 2 Part 8 Class E (6 areas); Schedule 2 Part 8 Class F (6 areas); Schedule 2 Part 8 Class G (6 areas); Schedule 2 Part 8 Class H (6 areas); Schedule 2 Part 8 Class I (6 areas); Schedule 2 Part 8 Class J (6 areas); Schedule 2 Part 8 Class K (6 areas); Schedule 2 Part 8 Class L (6 areas); Schedule 2 Part 8 Class M (6 areas); Schedule 2 Part 8 Class N (6 areas); Schedule 2 Part 10 Class A (2 areas); Schedule 2 Part 32 Class A (2 areas); Schedule 2 Part 33 Class A (2 areas); Schedule 2 Part ? Class 3L(B) (2 areas); Agricultural development on units of less than 5 hectares (2 areas); Schedule 2 Part 9 Class A (2 areas); Schedule 2 Part 9 Class B (2 areas); Schedule 2 Part 9 Class C (2 areas); Schedule 2 Part 9 Class D (2 areas); Schedule 2 Part 9 Class E (2 areas); Schedule 2 Part 25 Class A (1 area); Schedule 2 Part 25 Class B (1 area); Agricultural development on units of 5 hectares or more (1 area); Schedule 2 Part 6 Class C (1 area); Schedule 2 Part 6 Class E (1 area).

How many Article 4 Directions has Liverpool City Council published?

1421 Article 4 areas are currently published on planning.data.gov.uk, of which 21 are HMO-related (C3→C4); the most recent HMO direction came into force 2025-07-22. 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 Liverpool City Council publishes to planning.data.gov.uk. Always confirm with the council's planning department before committing money.

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