HMO Application and Payment Information
What is mandatory HMO licensing?
The Housing Act 2004 introduced mandatory licensing of some HMOs. With effect from 1 October 2018, more HMOs became liable for licensing. Mandatory licensing applies to all HMOs that are occupied by five or more people in two or more separate households who share a standard facility such as a kitchen, toilet, bathroom or lounge. Buildings consisting solely of entirely self-contained flats or purpose-built flats are exempt from licensing. However, if facilities are not fully contained, whether they are shared or not, such properties may require a licence if they fulfil the mandatory licensing criteria. In addition, premises fulfilling mandatory licensing criteria, with commercial properties at ground floor level also require a licence.
The Council has powers and duties to act should you operate a licensable HMO without a licence. This would constitute an offence punishable by prosecution through the courts with an unlimited fine. If an owner or operator of a licensable HMO does not have a licence, the Council has powers to claim back housing benefit paid (and tenants may claim back rent paid) using a Rent Repayment Order (RRO), or take control of the property, including control over tenancies and rent via an Interim Management Order (IMO).
How do I apply for an HMO Licence?
Please ensure that you have read the HMO Licence Application Guidance. You can proceed with the HMO licence application.
The licence fee is calculated on the number of separate lets in the HMO. There is one fee for up to 6 lets and an additional cost for each letting over 6.
The fee is payable in two parts. To make an application you must pay the Part A fee at the time you make your application and then to receive the licence you must pay the part B fee. The following table should help show how much you have to pay:
| Lettings (tenants) | Licence fee | Part A (on application) | Part B (to receive the licence) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 6 | 1210 | 291 | 919 |
| 7 | 1320 | 317 | 1003 |
| 8 | 1430 | 344 | 1086 |
| 9 | 1540 | 370 | 1170 |
| 10 | 1650 | 396 | 1254 |
NB - For each additional letting the fee will increase by £110
Please call or email to discuss the fee you will have to pay for larger HMOs.
There is no discount applied and there is no provision for payment by instalments
Your application will not be considered valid until you have completed the application process, paid the application fee and supplied all up to date safety certificates and documentation listed below (except gas where gas is not provided to the building) have been provided. Failure to complete the application process to the necessary standard could result in prosecution for failure to license. By not completing the application process to the necessary standard you could be liable to prosecution for failure to license.
- to Scale or to Proportion Floor Plans of Premises - Please See Guidance
- up to date copy of Automatic Fire Detection inspection and test certificate(s)
- up to date copy of Emergency Lighting inspection and test certificate(s)
- up to date copy of Gas Safety Inspection and test certificate(s)
- up to date copy of Electrical installation inspection and test certificate(s)
- a copy of the most recent signed Tenancy Agreement used at the property
- a copy of the Domestic Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the entire HMO AND an EPC for each self-contained flat within
- where the proposed licence holder is not the owner of the property provide a copy of the written contract between the owner and proposed licence holder
- up to date copy of Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) certificates
- a copy of the Fire Risk Assessment
- a copy of relevant insurance Certificate
Further related downloads are available.