Multiple Occupation
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of Local Authority’s experience of introducing Article 4 Directions covering Houses in Multiple Occupation; and whether any proposals will be brought forward to simplify this process.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook
My Department engages regularly with local authorities about a range of planning matters, including those that have introduced an ‘Article 4’ direction.
Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals for a more flexible policy in relation to the use of Article 4 so local planning authorities can remove
permitted development rights where it is necessary to protect the amenity or well-being of an area, for instance to support the renewal of towns centres or where there is an overconcentration of small Houses in Multiple Occupation.
We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
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