HMO licence guides by council
UK councils run their own additional and selective licensing schemes on top of the national mandatory HMO rules. We track UK councils with active or upcoming schemes — pick yours below.
Already letting an HMO? Manage the HMO in RentFig — rooms, licensing checks, certificates.
The three types of property licensing in England
- Mandatory HMO licensing — national, applies in every council area to HMOs with 5 or more people from 2 or more households.
- Additional HMO licensing — set by a council to cover smaller HMOs as well, across the whole area or in chosen wards.
- Selective licensing — set by a council to cover any privately rented home in a designated area, not just HMOs.
Each council page above shows which schemes we have found, their dates, the council's own source, and the licence fee where the council publishes one.
Common questions
What is the difference between mandatory, additional and selective licensing?
Mandatory HMO licensing applies everywhere in England to HMOs with 5 or more people from 2 or more households sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. Additional licensing is a council scheme that extends licensing to smaller HMOs, often 3 or 4 sharers. Selective licensing is a council scheme that covers ordinary privately rented homes, including single-family lets, in a designated area.
My council isn't listed. Does that mean I don't need a licence?
No. The national mandatory HMO licence still applies if your property meets the 5-person, 2-household test. This list only shows councils where we have found an additional or selective scheme, or a consultation on one, so always check with your council before letting.
How long do council licensing schemes last?
An additional or selective licensing designation can last up to 5 years. Councils often consult on renewing a scheme before it ends, so the position can change.
What happens if I let without a licence I need?
The council can impose a civil penalty of up to £40,000 for offences from 1 May 2026 (up from £30,000) or prosecute, and tenants can apply for a Rent Repayment Order of up to 2 years' rent for offences from 1 May 2026.
Coverage note: we only list councils where our weekly scanner has found an active or upcoming scheme. If your council isn't listed, long-running schemes that pre-date our scanner may still apply — always check directly with the council before letting.