Article 4 by council › Harrow
HMO Article 4 in Harrow
Do you need planning permission to turn a family home into a small HMO in Harrow? What the council's own direction says, with dates, the map and the source.
Yes. The whole of Harrow is covered by an HMO Article 4 direction.
whole borough (immediate direction) In force since 12 June 2026. Converting a family home (use class C3) to a small HMO of 3 to 6 people (class C4) needs full planning permission anywhere in Harrow.
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 Harrow
Mandatory HMO licence: 5 or more people forming 2 or more households sharing facilities.
Additional licensing: yes, not stated on page read.
Selective licensing: yes, named wards: Edgware, Roxeth (from 2 May 2026); Greenhill, Marlborough (from 6 July 2026); Wealdstone North, Wealdstone South (from 1 September 2026) (from 2 May 2026).
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: Harrow council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.