Analysing a deal
Planning flags explained
What Article 4, conservation area and listed building flags mean for what you can do with a property.
3 min read
Why check them
Planning flags show what a council limits at a property. They affect what you can change and how you can let it, so check them before you offer.
Article 4 directions
An Article 4 direction removes some permitted development rights in a defined area. For investors it usually means you need planning permission to turn a house into a small HMO, where three to six unrelated people share.
The Deal section shows one of three results: "HMO Article 4 applies", "No HMO Article 4 held" or "Not verified - check with the council".
Conservation areas
A council protects a conservation area for its architectural or historic character. You may need consent to demolish, to change the outside of a building or to work on trees, and some permitted development rights are reduced.
Listed buildings
A listed building is protected nationally, in grade I, II* or II. Work that affects its character, inside or out, needs listed building consent. Working without it can be a criminal offence.
Where to see them
- 1
On a card
Badges read "Article 4", "Conservation" or "Listed (Grade II)".
- 2
On a property page
The Article 4 row sits in the Deal section. The HMO conversion panel adds Conservation and Listed warnings where they apply.
- 3
In search
Select "Outside HMO Article 4" on Browse Properties to hide properties in an HMO Article 4 area.
Common questions
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Updated October 2026
