Article 4 HMO check — Sandwell
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council has published 12 Article 4 Direction areas to planning.data.gov.uk, 0 of which remove the C3 → C4 small-HMO right and 12 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 Sandwell
Why this tier: 11 householder rights also removed (extensions, roofs, exterior).
- 2AGates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure · 12 areas
- 1AEnlargement, improvement or alteration of a dwellinghouse (extensions) · 11 areas
- 1BAdditions or alterations to the roof (roof extensions, dormers) · 11 areas
- 1COther alterations to the roof (rooflights) · 11 areas
- 1DPorches · 11 areas
- 1FHard surfaces within the curtilage (driveways) · 11 areas
- 1HMicrowave antenna (satellite dishes) · 11 areas
- 2CExterior painting · 11 areas
- 31BSchedule 2 Part 31 Class B · 11 areas
- 1EBuildings incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse (outbuildings, sheds) · 10 areas
- 1GChimneys, flues or soil and vent pipes · 1 area
- 2BMeans of access to a highway · 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 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough 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 12 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
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council's published Article 4 Directions remove other permitted development rights (gates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure; enlargement, improvement or alteration of a dwellinghouse (extensions); additions or alterations to the roof (roof extensions, dormers)), 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 12 published areas: Gates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure (12 areas); Enlargement, improvement or alteration of a dwellinghouse (extensions) (11 areas); Additions or alterations to the roof (roof extensions, dormers) (11 areas); Other alterations to the roof (rooflights) (11 areas); Porches (11 areas); Hard surfaces within the curtilage (driveways) (11 areas); Microwave antenna (satellite dishes) (11 areas); Exterior painting (11 areas); Schedule 2 Part 31 Class B (11 areas); Buildings incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse (outbuildings, sheds) (10 areas); Chimneys, flues or soil and vent pipes (1 area); Means of access to a highway (1 area).
12 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 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council publishes to planning.data.gov.uk. Always confirm with the council's planning department before committing money.
Council website: https://www.sandwell.gov.uk · All councils, ranked