Spelthorne Borough Council: Article 4 Direction for HMOs

What is the Spelthorne Article 4 direction?

Spelthorne Borough Council has a borough-wide Article 4 direction in force for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). This means that across the South East of England, anyone wishing to change a dwellinghouse (Class C3) into a small HMO (Class C4, 3-6 unrelated occupants) must apply for planning permission - the 'permitted development' right that normally allows this change has been removed.

Areas covered

Wards: Ashford Common, Ashford East, Ashford Town, Halliford and Sunbury West, Laleham and Shepperton Green, Riverside and Laleham, Shepperton Town, Staines South, Sunbury Common, Sunbury East. Planning permission required for any HMO conversion irrespective of size.

What this means for HMO investors

Because the Article 4 direction is borough/city-wide, every residential property in Spelthorne's area is affected. Investors planning to acquire and convert family homes into HMOs in this area should budget time and cost for a full planning application, even for properties that would otherwise qualify as small HMOs under permitted development.

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