Hinckley's HMO rules become permanent as legal process completed
New House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) rules that were introduced in Hinckley town centre earlier this year have been extended indefinitely.
The rules, known as an Article 4 Direction, require all new HMOs in a defined area of Hinckley town centre to get planning permission.
This Article 4 Direction has been in effect since 1 May 2026 and was put in place for an initial six months, in line with legal requirements.
The Direction has now been legally “confirmed”, meaning it is now permanent and does not have an expiry date.
In practice, nothing changes for residents and landlords, with rules remaining as they have been since 1 May 2026.
Cllr Stuart Bray, Leader of the Borough Council, said: “I’m pleased that the Article 4 Direction for Hinckley town centre has been formally confirmed.
“We listened to residents’ views on this matter when we consulted on it back in the spring and made the new rules effective from the beginning of May. Nothing has changed in that regard.
“This latest confirmation was a necessary legal step to make sure the Direction continued to remain in force beyond 30 October. Thank you to everyone involved in making this happen.”
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