Article 4 by council › Cambridge
HMO Article 4 in Cambridge
Do you need planning permission to turn a family home into a small HMO in Cambridge? What the council's own direction says, with dates, the map and the source.
No. Cambridge had no HMO Article 4 direction in force when checked.
A small HMO of 3 to 6 people is permitted development in Cambridge, subject to HMO licensing. Note: Council resolved 2024-11-28 to commission a report on the case for one or more HMO Article 4 directions; the draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan (consultation closed 2026-01-30) says the councils are considering an Article 4 direction for C3 to C4 in particular locations; nothing made Checked 8 September 2026.
Check an exact postcode
A direction can cover part of a council, and the national dataset is incomplete. This asks the planning data service for the exact point and falls back to the council's own statement.
Licensing in Cambridge
Mandatory HMO licence: 5 or more people forming 2 or more households sharing facilities.
Additional licensing: none found. HMO licensing page describes mandatory licensing only (five or more people forming two or more households, or a purpose-built flat in a block of up to two flats); no additional scheme listed.
Selective licensing: none found. Not mentioned on the HMO licensing page. Council search snippet: a 2020 feasibility study concluded selective licensing was not appropriate (committee report, not fetched).
What an Article 4 direction means
HMO Article 4 directions remove the permitted-development right to convert a family home (C3) to a small HMO (C4, 3 to 6 people). Inside one, that conversion needs full planning permission. Councils may also run additional licensing (smaller HMOs) or selective licensing (all private rentals) in designated areas. Planning permission and licensing are separate: a licence does not grant planning permission, and permission does not remove the need for a licence.
Sources: Cambridge council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.