Your Guide to HMO Conversions in Croydon: Planning Permission and Overcoming Article 4 Restrictions

kyle6839
Jul 15
3 min read

At Excela Architecture London, we specialise in helping landlords, investors, and developers transform properties into compliant and profitable Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across London—including Croydon, one of the capital’s fastest-growing investment hotspots. Whether you're converting a family home into a 6-bed HMO or upgrading an existing shared property, understanding Croydon's local planning rules is essential to avoid costly mistakes.

In this guide, we'll explain the key planning considerations for HMO conversions in Croydon, how Article 4 Directions affect your project, and how our expert team can help you secure planning permission smoothly.

Why Convert a Property into an HMO in Croydon?

Croydon offers strong demand for affordable rental accommodation, thanks to its:

Excellent transport links into central London.
Large student and professional tenant market.
Competitive property prices compared to central boroughs.

Converting a property into an HMO can significantly increase rental yields compared to single-let properties, but the process isn’t without its challenges—especially when dealing with planning regulations.

Do You Need Planning Permission for an HMO in Croydon?

In Croydon, planning permission requirements depend on the size of your proposed HMO:

Small HMOs (up to 6 occupants)Normally, converting a property into a small HMO falls under permitted development rights, meaning you wouldn’t usually need planning permission. However, Croydon Council has imposed an Article 4 Direction, which removes these rights across much of the borough.
Large HMOs (7+ occupants)Planning permission is always required for large HMOs, as this represents a change from C3 (residential dwelling) to Sui Generis use class.

Understanding Croydon’s Article 4 Direction

Croydon Council implemented an Article 4 Direction in 2021 across many areas of the borough, including Croydon town centre and surrounding wards. This means that:

Even small HMOs (3–6 tenants) now require full planning permission.
The purpose is to manage the spread of HMOs and protect family housing stock.

How to Overcome Article 4 Restrictions in Croydon

Obtaining planning approval for an HMO within Article 4 areas requires a strategic approach. Here’s how Excela Architecture London helps clients succeed:

Prepare a Strong Planning Application
- Provide detailed architectural plans showing compliance with Croydon’s space standards, amenity space, and bin/cycle storage requirements.
- Include a comprehensive Design and Access Statement that addresses local concerns.
Address Local Policies Croydon’s Local Plan contains specific policies that discourage over-concentration of HMOs in certain streets. We help demonstrate that your project:
- Won’t lead to a high saturation of HMOs in your immediate area.
- Provides high-quality accommodation with minimal community impact.
Neighbour Consultation Proactively addressing neighbour concerns can help avoid objections that delay your application.
Expert Planning Statements Our in-house planning consultants can prepare a robust Planning Statement, evidencing how your conversion complies with Croydon’s policies despite the Article 4 restriction.

Key Considerations for HMO Planning Applications in Croydon
- Minimum Room Sizes: Bedrooms must meet the national minimum space standards.
- Amenity Space: Communal spaces should be functional and of sufficient size.
- Refuse and Recycling Storage: Must be integrated into the design.
- Cycle Storage: Required to encourage sustainable travel.
- Parking Stress Assessments: In areas with limited parking, a transport statement may be required.
How Excela Architecture London Can Help
As specialists in HMO architecture and planning across London, we provide a full-service solution:
- Feasibility Studies – Assess your site’s potential before you invest.
- Architectural Design – Create practical, stylish layouts that maximise rental yield.
- Planning Consultancy – Navigate Article 4 restrictions with expert guidance.
- Planning Application Management – Handle the process from submission to approval.
- Building Regulation Drawings – Ensure your project meets safety and compliance standards.
Thinking of an HMO Conversion in Croydon?
At Excela Architecture London, we’ve successfully helped clients secure planning approval for both small and large HMOs in Article 4 areas across London—including challenging cases in Croydon. If you’re considering converting a property, or you're facing Article 4 complications, contact us today for tailored advice.