Dartford Borough Council: Article 4 Direction for HMOs

What is the Dartford Article 4 direction?

Dartford Borough Council has made an Article 4 direction for houses in multiple occupation, taking effect on 10 December 2026. The direction will apply to Area south of the A2, where conversion from a dwellinghouse to a small HMO will require planning permission.

Areas covered

Area south of the A2

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 Dartford's published map before assuming permission isn't required.

If you're considering acquiring or converting a property in Dartford, 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.