Article 4 by council › Brighton and Hove
HMO Article 4 in Brighton and Hove
Do you need planning permission to turn a family home into a small HMO in Brighton and Hove? What the council's own direction says, with dates, the map and the source.
Yes. The whole of Brighton and Hove is covered by an HMO Article 4 direction.
whole city excluding the part of the city inside the South Downs National Park (separate planning authority); replaced the 2013 five-ward direction (Hanover and Elm Grove, Hollingdean and Stanmer, Moulsecoomb and Bevendean, Queen's Park, St Peter's and North Laine) In force since 3 June 2020. Converting a family home (use class C3) to a small HMO of 3 to 6 people (class C4) needs full planning permission anywhere in Brighton and Hove.
Check an exact postcode
A direction can cover part of a council, and the national dataset is incomplete. This asks the planning data service for the exact point and falls back to the council's own statement.
Licensing in Brighton and Hove
Mandatory HMO licence: 5 or more people forming 2 or more households sharing facilities.
Additional licensing: yes, whole district (from 1 July 2024).
Selective licensing: yes, named areas: Kemptown, Moulsecoomb and Bevendean, Queens Park, Whitehawk and Marina wards (from 2 September 2024), ends 1 September 2029.
What an Article 4 direction means
HMO Article 4 directions remove the permitted-development right to convert a family home (C3) to a small HMO (C4, 3 to 6 people). Inside one, that conversion needs full planning permission. Councils may also run additional licensing (smaller HMOs) or selective licensing (all private rentals) in designated areas. Planning permission and licensing are separate: a licence does not grant planning permission, and permission does not remove the need for a licence.
Sources: Brighton and Hove council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.