In Nottinghamshire, as everywhere in England, a house with five or more people forming two or more households needs a mandatory HMO licence. Some councils go further with additional licensing or Article 4 directions, as the table shows.
Licensing and planning for HMOs in Nottinghamshire 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 Nottinghamshire's councils
| Council | Additional licensing | Selective licensing | Article 4 (small HMOs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashfield District Council | None found | In part of the area Designated streets in Stanton Hill and Sutton Central, 25 July 2022 to 24 July 2027 | Not confirmed |
| Bassetlaw District Council | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Broxtowe Borough Council | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | In part of the area Parts of the four Beeston wards since 26 March 2022. An extension to Eastwood, Kimberley and Stapleford was proposed in March 2026 |
| Gedling Borough Council | None found | In part of the area Netherfield ward and parts of Carlton Hill, Colwick, Daybrook and Newstead Village | Proposed Proposed for three streets in Netherfield, not in force when checked |
| Mansfield District Council | None found | In part of the area Designated streets in several wards, from 13 September 2025 | Not confirmed |
| Newark and Sherwood District Council | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Nottingham City Council | In force Whole city, 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2028 | In part of the area Some or all of 15 wards, 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2028 | In force Whole city, since 11 March 2012 |
| Rushcliffe Borough 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 Nottinghamshire where we found an Article 4 direction for small HMOs in force, in all or part of their area: Broxtowe Borough Council, Nottingham City Council. Article 4 directions are due to start or proposed in: Gedling Borough Council. Additional licensing applies in all or part of: Nottingham City Council.
HMO planning and Article 4 for Nottinghamshire landlords
Planning for an HMO in Nottinghamshire 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 Nottinghamshire, 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.
- Lawful development certificate applications with dated evidence
- Advice on Class L, C4 and sui generis routes
- Existing and proposed floor plans and site plans
- Check of lawful use, Article 4 and local HMO policies
- Planning statement covering concentration, amenity, parking and bins