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Article 4 by council › Havering

HMO Article 4 in Havering

Do you need planning permission to turn a family home into a small HMO in Havering? What the council's own direction says, with dates, the map and the source.

In parts. Havering has HMO Article 4 directions in named areas.

named areas: two directions made 2015-11-03, in force 2016-07-13: (1) all dwellings in Brooklands, Romford Town, Heaton and Gooshays wards; (2) flats, terraced and semi-detached houses only in the rest of the borough (detached houses outside the four wards are not covered) In force since 13 July 2016. Inside those areas a small HMO of 3 to 6 people needs full planning permission; outside them it is permitted development, subject to licensing. Check the exact address on the council's map or with the postcode checker below.

Coversnamed areas: two directions made 2015-11-03, in force 2016-07-13: (1) all dwellings in Brooklands, Romford Town, Heaton and Gooshays wards; (2) flats, terraced and semi-detached houses only in the rest of the borough (detached houses outside the four wards are not covered)In force from13 July 2016Made or confirmed3 November 2015ProposedConsultation 2026-08-21 to 2026-10-16 on a borough-wide direction covering all dwelling types, proposed to come into force one year after it is madeCouncil pagewww.havering.gov.uk/planning-3/article-4-directions/2Checked8 September 2026

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 Havering

Mandatory HMO licence: 5 or more people forming 2 or more households sharing facilities.

Additional licensing: yes, whole borough (from 18 March 2026), ends 17 March 2031.

Selective licensing: yes, named wards: Beam Park, Harold Wood, Rainham and Wennington, Rush Green and Crowlands, Squirrels Heath, St Albans, St Edwards (from 18 March 2026), ends 17 March 2031.

Full licensing detail for Havering

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.

See this on every listing.Kerbio puts the Article 4 answer, licensing, the council's HMO register and sold prices on the Rightmove, Zoopla or OnTheMarket page itself. Free for 7 days, then £39 a month.
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Sources: Havering council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.