Most of the cost and risk in an HMO is decided at the design stage. In Leamington Spa we start by measuring every room and checking Warwick District Council's position on licensing and planning, then build the specification around it.
Work is carried out by S&K and vetted subcontractors working under S&K's supervision, so you contract with one company for the whole project.
HMO rules in Warwick District Council
| Rule | Warwick District Council |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licence (5+ people) | In force everywhere in England |
| Additional HMO licensing | In force Whole district, from 18 January 2024 for five years |
| Selective licensing | Not confirmed |
| Article 4 direction for small HMOs | In part of the area The whole of Leamington Spa, since 1 April 2012 |
Checked October 2026 against Warwick District Council's HMO licensing page. Schemes change, so we confirm the position for your address before any work starts.
Warwick District Council's Article 4 direction covers the whole of Leamington Spa, so turning a family house in Leamington Spa into a small HMO needs planning permission. We check the planning history of the address as part of any licence work. Seven or more occupants always needs planning permission. Warwick District Council also runs additional licensing across its whole area (from 18 January 2024 for five years), so smaller HMOs with three or four people from two or more households need a licence too.
Our HMO planning permission service in Leamington Spa
Planning for an HMO in Leamington Spa 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 Leamington Spa and the rest of Warwickshire, 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.
- Submission and liaison with the planning officer
- Advice on Class L, C4 and sui generis routes
- Planning statement covering concentration, amenity, parking and bins
- Existing and proposed floor plans and site plans
- Check of lawful use, Article 4 and local HMO policies
Sharer demand in Leamington Spa
If the house in Leamington Spa is let to students or sharers, up-to-date certificates, measured plans and a current fire risk assessment make any council inspection more straightforward, and they are usually asked for with a licence application.