On 22 September 2025, Oldham Council decided to introduce a rule (called an Article 4 Direction) that will remove the automatic right to turn a house (C3) into a small shared house, known as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (C4), for up to six people.
If confirmed, this rule will start on 1 January 2026 (or later if needed). From then on, anyone wanting to convert a house into a small HMO will need to apply for planning permission.
This doesn’t mean planning applications for small HMOs will automatically be refused. It simply means the Council can look properly at how a proposed HMO might affect the local area and community before making a decision. It also gives the Council more say over the quality of HMOs.
We are asking for your comments on this proposal between 6 October and 11:59pm on 16 November 2025.