Article 4 by council › Wigan
HMO Article 4 in Wigan
Do you need planning permission to turn a family home into a small HMO in Wigan? What the council's own direction says, with dates, the map and the source.
Yes. The whole of Wigan is covered by an HMO Article 4 direction.
whole borough In force since 31 August 2025. Converting a family home (use class C3) to a small HMO of 3 to 6 people (class C4) needs full planning permission anywhere in Wigan.
Made 15 Jul 2025.
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 Wigan
Mandatory HMO licence: 5 or more people forming 2 or more households sharing facilities.
Additional licensing: none found. HMO pages describe mandatory licensing only (five or more individuals from two or more households sharing amenities); no additional scheme mentioned. Borough wide Article 4 direction for small HMOs effective 31 August 2025.
Selective licensing: none found. 'Do I need to apply for a landlord licence' page states Wigan Council DO NOT currently operate a selective licensing scheme in any part of Wigan Borough; an options appraisal on introducing it has commenced. Source: https://www.wigan.gov.uk/Business/Property-and-Land/Private-Landlords/Do-I-need-to-apply-for-a-licence.aspx
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: Wigan council, planning.data.gov.uk Article 4 direction areas, gov.uk HMO licensing. Indicative; confirm with the council before you offer.