7. HMO SPD and Article 4 Direction
2010 Article 4 Direction
In 2010 we established an "Article 4 Direction" over part of Exeter to restrict the "permitted development rights" of homeowners to change their properties from dwellings (Use Class C3 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended)) to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) (Use Class C4). This means that, within the area covered by the Article 4 Direction, planning permission is required to change a house to an HMO. HMO Licence approval does not mean that you have automatic planning permission, in the same way that planning permission does not guarantee that an HMO Licence will be granted. We introduced the Article 4 Direction to help manage the potential impacts of the increasing numbers of students living in the city and studying at the University of Exeter. The parts of Exeter currently affected are shown this map and in blue on the interactive map below.
We are currently working to replace the 2010 Article 4 Direction with a new version, as explained below.
2023-24 work to introduce a new Article 4 Direction
In early 2022 we appointed a consultant to review the 2014 Article 4 Direction. This followed the receipt of a petition from local residents about an increasing number of HMOs outside the area covered by the 2014 Article 4 Direction. See the consultant’s Review of the Article 4 Direction Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document report.
Based on the consultant’s review, we publicly consulted on the future of the 2014 Article Direction for a period of six weeks in the summer of 2023. The results of the consultation are summarised in this Consultation Report.
Informed by the consultation responses and those made to a further period of statutory consultation in late 2023, on 28 March 2024 the Council confirmed a new Article 4 Direction to replace the 2010 version with "non-immediate effect". Download and view the new Article 4 Direction, or by scrolling down to the interactive map. The report to Council can also be viewed online (item number 33).
The new Article 4 Direction will come into force on 23 December 2024.
Proposed cancellation of the 2010 Article 4 Direction
As can be seen from the interactive map below, the new Article 4 Direction is larger than, and includes the area covered by, the 2010 version. Therefore the 2010 Article 4 Direction will not be needed after 23 December 2024.
The Council therefore proposes to cancel the 2010 Article 4 Direction, effective from 23 December 2024. The Council is required to undertake statutory notification on this proposal.
From 27 May until 24 June 2024 (inclusive) the Council invited comments on the proposal to cancel the 2010 Article 4 Direction.
The Cancellation Direction is available to view, or a reference copy can be viewed at the Civic Centre, Paris Street, Exeter, EX1 1JN from Monday to Friday, 9am until 2pm.
Subject to a review of the comments received, the next stage will be for the Council to confirm the 2010 Article 4 Direction in due course.
Map of the New Article 4 Direction and 2010 Article 4 Direction
The area in pink shows the new Article 4 Direction area the area in blue shows the 2010 Article 4 Direction that is proposed to be cancelled. You can type your address in the search bar on the map to locate your property.
Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document (HMO SPD)
On 12 December 2023 we adopted a Supplementary Planning Document which provides more detailed guidance on how policy H5 of the Exeter Local Plan First Review and policy C1 of the Exeter St James Neighbourhood Plan will be implemented, in order to help manage the impact of student-HMOs within the area covered by the Article 4 Direction.
The SPD is a material consideration in the determination of planning applications. The 2023 SPD replaces the previous version of the document, adopted in 2014.
See the 2023 Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document and it’s Adoption Statement.
Letting Agent Signboards Protocol
In April 2014 we introduced a "Signboards Protocol" the purpose of which is to secure agreement from letting agents to display less signboards in an area of the city where there are complaints that there are excessive numbers and to avoid the need for us to seek additional controls on signboards.