Effective from 1st July 2013: Planning Controls for HMOs in Bath
On 1st July 2013 B&NES Council confirmed an Article 4 Direction for HMO in Bath. This means that planning permission is required from 1st July 2013 until further notice to change use from a dwelling house (C3) to a house in multiple occupation (C4) comprising small shared dwelling houses occupied by between 3 and 6 unrelated individuals who share basic amenities, anywhere within the City of Bath.
Planning permission is not required for properties in Bath changing use from a house in multiple occupation (C4) back into a dwelling house (C3).
A Houses in Multiple Occupation in Bath Supplementary Planning Document was adopted by the Council 1st July 2013, and subsequently revised in November 2017, this explains how the new planning applications triggered will be determined and supplements B&NES Placemaking Plan Policy H2. The final page of this document also outlines the submission requirements for this kind of change of use application. It also says “The Local Planning Authority is not currently able to charge a planning application fee for a change of use application from a Dwellinghouse (C3) to a House in Multiple Occupation (C4).” However a fee is applicable for applications made or deemed to be made on or after 17th January 2018.
You can establish the relevant change of use application fee by using The Planning Portal's online Fee Calculator (Planning Portal fee Calculator) or referring to the schedule of fees.
You are able to view the confirmation notice for the Article 4 Direction and the Supplementary Planning Document as well as other background information and FAQ on the following page:
Some HMOs with shared facilities must also be licensed, this is to ensure that minimum standards of safety, welfare and management are maintained. Landlords and managers of HMOs across Bath and North East Somerset may need to apply for a mandatory license, whilst those in Bath also need to apply for an additional license. The Housing Standards Team attends to this work - the links below will take you to their relevant pages and contact details:
- Information on Mandatory Licenses (District-wide) and Additional Licenses (City of Bath only)
- Advice for Landlords and Tenants on HMO licensing and safety
- Apply for an HMO Licence online
- Further information on licensing is available on the Housing Services webpages
Effective from 1st October 2010: HMOs in North East Somerset
From 1 October 2010, the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (No 2) (England) Order 2010 (2010 No. 2134), will in effect mean that:
• Planning permission will not be required for properties changing use from a dwelling house (C3) to a house in multiple occupation (C4) comprising small shared dwelling houses occupied by between 3 and 6 unrelated individuals who share basic amenities; and
• Planning permission will not be required for properties changing use from a house in multiple occupation (C4) back into a dwelling house (C3).
Legislation currently available is listed below -
The Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (No 2) (England) Order 2010 (2010 No. 2134) (external link)
The Town and Country Planning (Compensation) (No. 3) (England) Regulations 2010 (2010 No. 2135) (external link)
Further information:-
Information on applying for planning permission can be found on our planning web pages.
Note: This is an introductory guide and is not a definitive source of legal information.