🏡 Planning Use Class C3: A Friendly Guide for North West London Homeowners (2025)

If you’ve ever asked, “Can I convert my loft into a bedroom?” or “Can I rent out part of my house?” — you’ve already dipped a toe into the waters of Planning Use Class C3.

It sounds like bureaucratic jargon, but C3 is simply the official planning term for ‘a home’. And understanding what falls under that umbrella — and when you need permission to do more — can save you time, money, and grey hairs.

🔗 Contents

• What is Use Class C3?
• Do I Need Planning Permission?
• Can I Airbnb My Home?
• Can I Rent a Room or Convert My House?
• Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
• How DOR Architects Can Help
• FAQs
• Talk to Us

🧠 What is Use Class C3?

Use Class C3 is what your house or flat probably already is. It’s the legal category for a “dwelling house” — somewhere someone lives. It includes:

• Flats and apartments
• Houses and bungalows
• Maisonettes
• Homes shared by families or couples
• Some small shared homes where friends live like a family

As long as it’s used as a private residence — not a hotel, guesthouse, or office — it’s likely C3.

📑 Do I Need Planning Permission?

If you’re not changing what the house is used for (i.e. still living in it), you often don’t need planning permission to:

• Convert a loft into a bedroom
• Add a rear extension
• Build a garden office

But there are rules — about size, height, materials, and more — especially in boroughs like Camden, Barnet, or Brent.

🏨 Can I Airbnb My Home?

Yes — but carefully. In London, short lets are limited to 90 days per year unless you apply for planning permission for a change of use (often to “sui generis”).

If you’re letting the whole home frequently on Airbnb, your council could decide it’s not a C3 home anymore — and enforcement can follow.

🏘️ Can I Rent a Room or Convert My House?

Renting out a single room? Totally fine — you’re still C3. Want to convert your house into separate flats? That’s different — and you’ll need planning permission.

Some boroughs discourage turning homes into multiple units, especially if it means losing a “family dwelling”. But if designed well, and with proper advice, it can still be done.

🏛️ What if My Home is Listed or in a Conservation Area?

If you live in Hampstead, Highgate, or parts of Golders Green, you might be in a conservation area. That means stricter rules on extensions, lofts, and materials.

And if your home is listed? You’ll need listed building consent in addition to planning permission for almost anything — even replacing windows.

👷 How DOR Architects Can Help

We’re architects who speak fluent planning — but also speak normal human.

Whether you’re:

• Wondering if your loft conversion needs permission
• Thinking about adding a home office
• Wanting to future-proof a home for multigenerational living

We’ll give you clear answers, realistic options, and beautiful, buildable designs — all shaped around local rules.

🙋‍♀️ FAQs – Use Class C3 for Homeowners

📞 Let’s Talk About Your Home

If you’re planning to extend, improve, rent or reconfigure your home in North West London — we’re here to help.

👉 Book your free consultation with DOR Architects

Let’s make your next project simple, compliant, and beautiful — without the planning headaches.