Class C Use Class C1 Use Class C2 Use Class C2a Use Class C3 Use Class C4

Use Class C3 – Dwellinghouses

Use Class C3 of the Use Classes Order 1987 (as amended) is for the use as dwellinghouses. i.e. Houses, Flats, Apartments, Bungalows etc.

The full description is for the use as a dwellinghouse (whether or not as a sole or main residence) by—

(a) a single person or by people to be regarded as forming a single household
(b) not more than six residents living together as a single household where care is provided for residents;
(c) not more than six residents living together as a single household where no care is provided to residents (other than a use within Class C4).

Interpretation of Class C3
For the purposes of Class C3(a) “single household” shall be construed in accordance with section 258 of the Housing Act 2004

Definitions of C3(a), C3(b), and C3(c)

A C3 dwelling can fall into one of three subsections. It is not development to move between 3(a), 3(b) and 3(c) – this is made clear by Article 3(1) of the Use Class Order (UCO). 

C3(a): Single household

• Typically occupied by a family or individuals living together as a single household. In this legislation – we find the text that those working as au pair, nanny, nurse, carer, governess, servant, including maid, butler, cook or cleaner, chauffeur, gardener, secretary or personal assistant should be considered as part of the same single household

• This will include those who are married, civil partners or live together as if they were married or civil partners. It would also include those who are a relative of a member of the family. A relative would include parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece or cousin. Half blood is considered the same a whole blood and a stepchild is treated as a a child.  This is defined in Section 258 of the Housing Act 2004

C3(b): Up to six people living together as a single household and receiving care

• Accommodations designed for groups of people who receive care and live communally as a single household unit, with a maximum limit of six residents

• “Care” in this context is defined in Section 258 of the Housing Act 2004 and includes personal care, assistance with daily living activities, or therapeutic support

Examples:

• Supported living arrangements for adults with learning disabilities or mental health conditions.

• Residential homes for elderly people where care is provided on-site

C3(c): Up to six people living together as a single household who do not fall within the C4 HMO definition

• Small-scale communal living arrangements, where residents live together as a single household but do not necessarily require care

• Typically applies to shared housing arrangements that fall short of the threshold for being classed as an HMO (House in Multiple Occupation, Use Class C4). It can include religious communities or certain small co-living setups

Examples:

• A small religious community living communally in a single dwelling

• Shared households of fewer than six unrelated individuals where the setup does not meet HMO criteria

Neither the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 nor the Use Class Order provides a definition of ‘dwellinghouse’. So we have to look towards case law. In Gravesham Borough Council v Secretary of State for the Environment (1982) P&CR 142, McCulloch J in the High Court was required to consider the definition of a dwelling house. He held that a distinctive characteristic of a dwellinghouse was its ability to afford to those who used it the facilities required for day-to-day private domestic existence.

Therefore despite Use Class C3 being referred as ‘Dwellinghouses’ in the UCO the phrase can be used by other uses such as C4, C1, C2 and indeed Sui Generis. This opens up Part 1 of the GPDO for extensions and suchlike to a wide range of uses beyond C3.

It is our view that a property converted to C3 via Class G is a legal dwelling which is then capable of further conversion to C4.

It was held in Valentino Plus Limited v. Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government [2015] EWHC 19 (Admin) that a proper interpretation of Class F (a previous incarnation of what is now Class G) “permits a change from a single planning unit to up to three planning units, that is to say one in A1 (now E) use and two flats” (paragraph 17 of the judgment). This gives extra weight to the ability to use Class L to convert to an HMO.

However as every circumstance could be different, the person considering applying Class L rights must asses as to whether their property is legally able to go from C3 to C4 having previously benefited from Class G change of use or indeed any other legislation. Of course, these rights may also be prevented via an Article 4 or other restrictions placed on the property.

Permitted Development Changes for Use Class C3

There are several permitted development rights to go from or to C3 from/to any other use class.

From another use to Use Class C3:

Class G – one or two flats (C3) above Use Class E, Payday Loan Shop, Betting Office
Class M – Sui Generis – Payday Loan Shop, Hot Food Takeaway, Launderette, Betting Office to C3
Class MA – Use Class E to C3
Class N – Sui Generis – Casino, Amusement Arcades to C3
Class Q – Sui Generis – Agricultural Building to C3
Class L – C4 HMO to C3

From Use Class C3 to another use:

Class L – C3 to C4 HMO
Class H – Reverses Class G as above

If you require assistance with planning permission please either request a free fee proposal, or book a Zoom call with Ian, the founder of Planning Geek. Our team of planning consultants are here to help.

Examples for Use Class C3

According to the Planning Geek directory of uses, C3 includes Bungalows, Flats, Group of up to 6 people living together as a single household, Group of up to 6 people living together with care, Homeowner with a lodger, Houses (use by single person or family), Maisonettes (use by single person or family), Supported Housing with care (up to 6 people), Extra Care Housing † & Sheltered Housing †.

† Sheltered Housing and Extra Care Housing are likely to be C3, unless care is needed by residents when it may fall into C2. Where care is simply available as and when required, doesn’t move it into C2.

Page Updated: 27th May 2025

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