Basildon Borough Council: Article 4 Direction for HMOs

What is the Basildon Article 4 direction?

Basildon Borough Council has made an Article 4 direction for houses in multiple occupation, with an effective date to be confirmed. The direction will apply to Billericay, Laindon, where conversion from a dwellinghouse to a small HMO will require planning permission.

Wards and areas covered

The Basildon Article 4 direction applies to the following wards and areas:

• Billericay
• Laindon

What this means for HMO investors

Because the Article 4 direction applies to specific wards or zones rather than the whole council area, the planning impact depends on the exact location of the property. Investors should check the precise postcode against Basildon's published map before assuming permission isn't required.

If you're considering acquiring or converting a property in Basildon, factor planning permission into your due-diligence timeline and budget. Refused applications can scupper a deal, and unauthorised conversions risk enforcement action and lender complications.