On 16th May 2012, a non-immediate Article 4 Direction was made removing permitted development rights to convert from a dwellinghouse (C3 use) to a small house in multiple occupation (C4 use) for an area covering parts of Park, Redlands and Katesgrove Wards. The Article 4 Direction has now been confirmed and will come into force on 16 May 2013.
http://www.reading.gov.uk/residents/planning-and-building-control/PlanningApplicationService/planninghmo/
In Summary if you want to rent out a C3 house which is a family house, or two household (two sharers) to a 3 or more sharers C4 after 16 May 2013 you will required to get planning permission. You don't need planning permission to rent a C4 house to a family, but you will lose the right to relet it again as a C4. This is to slow or stop the growth of HMO's taking over all of the houses in some streets, such as Blenheim Rd, and nearby streets in Redlands. Please get legal advise if you don't understand these new rules, which come into force on 16th May 2013.
http://www.reading.gov.uk/residents/planning-and-building-control/PlanningApplicationService/planninghmo/
In Summary if you want to rent out a C3 house which is a family house, or two household (two sharers) to a 3 or more sharers C4 after 16 May 2013 you will required to get planning permission. You don't need planning permission to rent a C4 house to a family, but you will lose the right to relet it again as a C4. This is to slow or stop the growth of HMO's taking over all of the houses in some streets, such as Blenheim Rd, and nearby streets in Redlands. Please get legal advise if you don't understand these new rules, which come into force on 16th May 2013.