Hackney HMO Planning Permission and Article 4 Direction
No Article 4 Direction in Hackney
As of 2026, the London Borough of Hackney has not imposed a borough-wide Article 4 Direction restricting the conversion of dwellinghouses (Use Class C3) to small houses in multiple occupation (Use Class C4).
Under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, converting a single-family home to a small HMO of three to six unrelated sharers is nationally permitted development. Because Hackney has not withdrawn this permitted development right, you do not need to apply for planning permission to convert a C3 property to a C4 HMO — provided no external building extensions exceed permitted development limits.
This is unusual for an inner London borough. Many neighbouring boroughs have Article 4 Directions in place that require a full planning application for the same conversion. In Hackney, the barrier to entry for small HMO conversions is the property licensing requirement, not planning consent.
When You Do Need Planning Permission
The permitted development allowance only covers small HMOs (C4) — three to six unrelated occupants. Once a property houses seven or more unrelated individuals, it falls into the Sui Generis use class. Sui Generis HMOs always require explicit full planning permission before occupation, regardless of whether an Article 4 Direction exists.
So a Hackney landlord converting a terraced house for four sharers does not need planning permission, but the same house converted for seven sharers does. The planning application must be approved by the council's planning department before the property is occupied at that level.
Planning Permission and Property Licensing Are Separate
This is a point of confusion that catches landlords in both directions:
- Having a property licence does not grant planning permission. A licence under the Housing Act 2004 authorises the property's operation as a rental; it says nothing about its planning use class. If a property needs planning consent (Sui Generis HMO), the licence does not substitute for it.
- Having planning permission does not exempt you from licensing. An approved C4 or Sui Generis HMO still needs the relevant property licence — additional HMO or mandatory HMO — under Hackney's licensing schemes.
Both regimes run under separate legislation and must be satisfied independently.
Free Download
Get the Hackney Landlord Licensing Checklist
Everything in this article as a printable checklist — plus action plans and reference guides you can start using today.
The Use Class Breakdown
| Use Class | Occupants | Planning Requirement in Hackney | Licensing Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| C3 (Dwellinghouse) | Single family or couple | None (existing use) | Selective licence if in the 17 designated wards |
| C4 (Small HMO) | 3–6 unrelated occupants | None (permitted development — no Article 4) | Additional or Mandatory HMO licence |
| Sui Generis (Large HMO) | 7+ unrelated occupants | Full planning permission required | Mandatory HMO licence |
Room Standards Still Apply
Even though no planning application is needed for a C4 conversion, the property must still meet HMO space standards when it applies for a licence. Bedrooms must meet minimum floor areas (6.51 m² single, 10.22 m² double), the 1.5-metre headroom rule applies, and shared kitchens and bathrooms must meet amenity ratios. A property that passes planning scrutiny — or does not need it — can still fail licensing if the rooms are too small.
For the full licensing process, room measurement rules, and a compliance checklist, see the Hackney landlord licensing guide.
Get Your Free Hackney Landlord Licensing Checklist
Download the Hackney Landlord Licensing Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.