Article 4 by council › Lambeth
HMO Article 4 in Lambeth
Do you need planning permission to turn a family home into a small HMO in Lambeth? What the council's own direction says, with dates, the map and the source.
In parts. Lambeth has HMO Article 4 directions in named areas.
named areas: Streatham Common and Vale ward and Streatham St Leonard's ward In force since 11 August 2025. Inside those areas a small HMO of 3 to 6 people needs full planning permission; outside them it is permitted development, subject to licensing. Check the exact address on the council's map or with the postcode checker below.
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 Lambeth
Mandatory HMO licence: 5 or more people forming 2 or more households sharing facilities.
Additional licensing: yes, whole borough (from 8 September 2021).
Selective licensing: yes, named wards: all wards except Vauxhall and Waterloo & South Bank (phase 1: Knights Hill, Streatham Common and Vale, Streatham Hill East, Streatham St Leonard's; phase 2: 19 further wards).
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: Lambeth council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.