What is the Article 4 Direction in Hull and how does it affect landlords?
Inside Hull's Article 4 area, even a small HMO conversion needs planning permission. Here's what it restricts and how to check.
Hull City Council introduced an Article 4 Direction in October 2013 covering a specific area of the city. Within that boundary, converting a family house into a small HMO (three or more people) requires planning permission for change of use — even if the HMO is too small to need a licence. A property already used as an HMO by 3-6 people before October 2013 may have "established use".
What Article 4 actually restricts
Inside the Article 4 boundary, converting a family house or single-occupancy dwelling into a small HMO — occupied by three or more people — requires planning permission for a change of use. Crucially, this catches HMOs that are below the mandatory licensing threshold too. The Direction is about planning use class, not licensing.
Established use — does it apply to your property?
If a property can be shown to have already been used as an HMO by three to six people before October 2013, it's treated as having an "established use" and can continue without a fresh planning application. Evidence of that earlier use is what matters — so if you're buying a property with a view to letting it as an HMO, it's worth checking whether established use can be demonstrated.
How to check if you're inside the boundary
Contact Hull City Council's planning department on 01482 300 300 to check whether a specific address falls inside the Article 4 boundary before you convert it. Don't assume which streets are included — the council is the definitive source.
Frequently asked questions
Does a small HMO need planning permission in Hull?
Inside Hull's Article 4 area, converting a house into a small HMO (3+ people) needs planning permission for change of use, even if it's too small to need a licence.
What is 'established use' for an HMO in Hull?
If a property was already used as an HMO by 3-6 people before October 2013, it may have established use and continue without a fresh planning application.
How do I know if my Hull property is in the Article 4 area?
Contact Hull City Council's planning department on 01482 300 300 to check whether a specific address falls inside the boundary.
Hull landlords who'd rather have compliance, licensing and management handled for them — or tenants with a question about a notice they've received — can talk to the team at Property Central.