Article 4 by council › Sandwell

HMO Article 4 in Sandwell

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

No. Sandwell had no HMO Article 4 direction in force when checked.

A small HMO of 3 to 6 people is permitted development in Sandwell, subject to HMO licensing. Note: Council motion (autumn 2025, moderngov page unreadable) authorised research into small HMO distribution to prepare a non-immediate Article 4 for 'relevant areas'; nothing made. Checked 8 September 2026.

Coversnone: council lists three Article 4 directions (High Street and Crocketts Lane Conservation Area, Smethwick; Land off Portway Hill, Rowley Regis; West Bromwich High Street Conservation Area), none relating to HMOs; borough-wide additional licensing used insteadProposedCouncil motion (autumn 2025, moderngov page unreadable) authorised research into small HMO distribution to prepare a non-immediate Article 4 for 'relevant areas'; nothing made.Council pagewww.sandwell.gov.uk/planning/planning-applications-process-1National dataset12 direction areas published, 0 for HMOsChecked8 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.

Is a postcode inside an HMO Article 4 area?

Licensing in Sandwell

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

Additional licensing: yes, whole district (from 1 October 2024).

Selective licensing: none found. HMO page lists mandatory and additional licensing only; no selective licensing scheme mentioned

Full licensing detail for Sandwell

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.

Add to Chrome

Sources: Sandwell council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.