HMO planning and Article 4 in Derbyshire

From Derby, Long Eaton to the smaller towns, we provide HMO planning permission services across Derbyshire in the East Midlands.

HMO rules in Derbyshire vary council by council, so we check the right one for your address before quoting.

Designed around the local council's HMO standards

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Our work in Derbyshire ranges from single conversions for first-time landlords to multi-house programmes for investors, all priced in writing before work starts.

Licensing and planning for HMOs in Derbyshire is handled by the district, borough, city or unitary councils, not one county-wide body. That's why the same house can need different paperwork depending on which side of a council boundary it sits.

HMO rules across Derbyshire's councils

Council	Additional licensing	Selective licensing	Article 4 (small HMOs)
Amber Valley Borough Council	Not confirmed	Not confirmed	Not confirmed
Bolsover District Council	Not confirmed	Not confirmed	Not confirmed
Chesterfield Borough Council	Not confirmed	Not confirmed	Not confirmed
Derby City Council	None found	None found	In part of the area Arboretum ward and parts of seven wards inside the ring road, since 3 May 2025
Derbyshire Dales District Council	Not confirmed	Not confirmed	Not confirmed
Erewash Borough Council	Not confirmed	Not confirmed	Due to start Due to start 6 March 2027: Ilkeston, most of Long Eaton and parts of Sandiacre and Sawley
High Peak Borough Council	Not confirmed	Not confirmed	Not confirmed
North East Derbyshire District Council	Not confirmed	Not confirmed	Not confirmed
South Derbyshire District Council	Not confirmed	Not confirmed	Not confirmed

Checked October 2026. Mandatory licensing for five or more people applies in every council. Schemes change, so we confirm the position for the address before work starts.

Councils in Derbyshire where we found an Article 4 direction for small HMOs in force, in all or part of their area: Derby City Council. Article 4 directions are due to start or proposed in: Erewash Borough Council. We found no additional licensing schemes in force that we could confirm, so the mandatory licence for five or more people is the main one to plan for.

Our HMO planning permission service in Derbyshire

Planning for an HMO in Derbyshire starts with three questions: what the current lawful use is, whether an Article 4 direction covers the street, and what local policy says about the concentration of shared houses. We answer all three before you spend money on design.

For landlords and investors in Derbyshire, we prepare planning applications and lawful development certificates, with the plans and evidence councils commonly ask for. We also explain where licensing and building regulations need a separate approval.

Existing and proposed floor plans and site plans
Lawful development certificate applications with dated evidence
Planning statement covering concentration, amenity, parking and bins
Advice on Class L, C4 and sui generis routes
Submission and liaison with the planning officer

Towns we cover in Derbyshire

HMO planning and Article 4 in Derbyshire: common questions

What documents does the local council ask for with an HMO licence?

Councils usually ask for floor plans showing room sizes and fire safety features, gas and electrical safety certificates, and fire alarm and emergency lighting certificates. We check the local council's current list for your application.

Who issues HMO licences in Derbyshire?

the local council is the licensing authority for Derbyshire. We prepare the application and supporting documents, and the council decides whether to grant the licence and on what conditions.

How long does an HMO licence last?

A licence can last up to five years. the local council may grant a shorter licence, for example where it has concerns about the property or the management.

What happens if I let an unlicensed HMO in Derbyshire?

Since 1 May 2026 councils can issue civil penalties of up to £40,000, and rent repayment orders can cover up to two years' rent. If a house in Derbyshire needs a licence, apply as soon as possible.