England Use Classes Order • Residential

    Use C4: Class C4 (Houses in Multiple Occupation)

    Small shared houses occupied by between 3 and 6 unrelated individuals as their only or main residence sharing basic amenities.

    Use this overview to plan your research. Verify current requirements and site-specific conditions against the relevant primary sources. Read our data sources, coverage and limits guide.

    Jurisdiction and source

    This guide covers England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have different use-class and permitted-development rules. A use class is not permission for building works or proof that a change is lawful at a particular site.

    Use Classes Order — current legislation

    GOV.UK — use classes and when permission is required

    England GPDO — Part 3 changes of use

    Examples

    • Student houses (3-6 sharers)
    • Shared professional houses
    • Small HMOs

    Potential change-of-use routes

    Change toConditions
    Class C3Permitted under Class L of GPDO Part 3

    Permission and prior-approval checks

    Article 4 directions in many cities remove PD

    Design notes

    Class C4 is limited to 3–6 residents under its statutory definition; larger HMOs need a separate use assessment. Planning use, Article 4 restrictions and housing licensing are separate checks. Confirm the local licensing scheme and the site-specific direction.

    Questions

    What is Use Class C4?

    Small shared houses occupied by between 3 and 6 unrelated individuals as their only or main residence sharing basic amenities.

    Can I change use without planning permission from Class C4?

    This summary lists the following potential changes: Class C3: Permitted under Class L of GPDO Part 3. Check current rules and site-specific restrictions before relying on a right.

    Check use class against your site

    Explore available planning constraints for the address, then verify the applicable use class and any restrictions with the planning authority.

    Explore planning constraints

    Review current plans and usage and source coverage for your project.

    Related

    Use E: Class E (Commercial, Business and Service)

    Commercial

    Use F.1: Class F.1 (Learning and Non-Residential Institutions)

    Community

    Use F.2: Class F.2 (Local Community)

    Community

    Use C1: Class C1 (Hotels)

    Residential

    Use C2: Class C2 (Residential Institutions)

    Residential

    Use C2A: Class C2A (Secure Residential Institutions)

    Residential