Article 4 HMO check — Sefton (Southport)
Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council has published 6 Article 4 Direction areas to planning.data.gov.uk, 3 of which remove the C3 → C4 small-HMO right and 3 cover other permitted development rights. Enter a postcode to see which, if any, contain it.
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What is prohibited without planning permission in Sefton (Southport)
Why this tier: 3 HMO directions (C3→C4 right removed) · multiple HMO areas · 9 householder rights also removed (extensions, roofs, exterior).
- 3LChange of use: dwellinghouse (C3) to small HMO (C4) — up to 6 unrelated occupiers · 3 areas
- 1AEnlargement, improvement or alteration of a dwellinghouse (extensions) · 2 areas
- 1COther alterations to the roof (rooflights) · 2 areas
- 1DPorches · 2 areas
- 1FHard surfaces within the curtilage (driveways) · 2 areas
- 2AGates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure · 2 areas
- 2CExterior painting · 2 areas
- 31BSchedule 2 Part 31 Class B · 2 areas
- 11BDemolition of buildings · 1 area
- 1BAdditions or alterations to the roof (roof extensions, dormers) · 1 area
- 1EBuildings incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse (outbuildings, sheds) · 1 area
- 1GChimneys, flues or soil and vent pipes · 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 Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
- Southport HMOIn force 2017-09-20
- Bootle and Waterloo HMOIn force 2017-09-20
- Aintree HMOIn force 2025-07-02
Plus 3 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 Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council's 3 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4 Direction areas, yes: the permitted development right to change a house (C3) into a small HMO (C4, 3–6 occupiers) is withdrawn and a full planning application is required.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.
Across the 6 published areas: Change of use: dwellinghouse (C3) to small HMO (C4) — up to 6 unrelated occupiers (3 areas); Enlargement, improvement or alteration of a dwellinghouse (extensions) (2 areas); Other alterations to the roof (rooflights) (2 areas); Porches (2 areas); Hard surfaces within the curtilage (driveways) (2 areas); Gates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure (2 areas); Exterior painting (2 areas); Schedule 2 Part 31 Class B (2 areas); Demolition of buildings (1 area); Additions or alterations to the roof (roof extensions, dormers) (1 area); Buildings incidental to the enjoyment of the dwellinghouse (outbuildings, sheds) (1 area); Chimneys, flues or soil and vent pipes (1 area).
6 Article 4 areas are currently published on planning.data.gov.uk, of which 3 are HMO-related (C3→C4); the most recent HMO direction came into force 2025-07-02. 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 Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council publishes to planning.data.gov.uk. Always confirm with the council's planning department before committing money.
Council website: https://www.sefton.gov.uk · All councils, ranked