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HMO restricted in defined areas

Article 4 HMO check — Stevenage

Stevenage Borough Council has published 127 Article 4 Direction areas to planning.data.gov.uk, 1 of which remove the C3 → C4 small-HMO right and 126 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 Stevenage

Strictness
HMO restricted
HMO areas
1
Rights removed
2

Why this tier: 1 HMO direction (C3→C4 right removed) · commercial change-of-use rights also removed.

  • 3LChange of use: dwellinghouse (C3) to small HMO (C4) — up to 6 unrelated occupiers · 1 area
  • 3MAChange of use: Class E (commercial, business, service) to dwellinghouses · 126 areas

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 Stevenage Borough Council

  • Stevenage
    In force 2017-09-20

Plus 126 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 Stevenage?

If the property sits inside one of Stevenage 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4 Direction area, yes: the permitted development right to change a house (C3) into a small HMO (C4, 3–6 occupiers) is withdrawn and a full planning application is required.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.

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

Across the 127 published areas: Change of use: dwellinghouse (C3) to small HMO (C4) — up to 6 unrelated occupiers (1 area); Change of use: Class E (commercial, business, service) to dwellinghouses (126 areas).

How many Article 4 Directions has Stevenage Borough Council published?

127 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 2017-09-20. 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 Stevenage Borough Council publishes to planning.data.gov.uk. Always confirm with the council's planning department before committing money.

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