Applying for a licence
To apply for an HMO licence you identify your council's scheme, complete its application form, supply the required documents and floor plan, and pay the council fee. Get HMO Licence can complete and submit the whole application for you.
How to apply for an HMO licence, what councils ask for, fees and timescales.
Guides in this section
- Can I apply for an HMO licence myself?
Yes, you can apply for an HMO licence yourself directly through your council, and the council fee is the same whether you apply yourself or use a service. The effort is in identifying the right scheme, meeting the amenity and fire-safety standards, preparing a scaled floor plan and the declarations, and answering the council. A done-for-you service removes that work and the risk of an application being rejected as incomplete.
- How do you renew an HMO licence?
An HMO licence usually lasts up to five years. You renew by applying to the same council before the current licence expires, with up-to-date safety certificates and any changes to the property or management declared. If the licence lapses before you renew, the property is unlicensed and the same penalties apply as for never licensing it.
- What are the minimum room sizes for an HMO?
In a licensed HMO in England, a room used for sleeping by one person aged 10 or over must be at least 6.51 square metres, a room for two people aged 10 or over at least 10.22 square metres, and a room for a child under ten at least 4.64 square metres. Rooms under 4.64 square metres cannot be used as sleeping accommodation. Councils set their own amenity standards on top, covering how many bathrooms, toilets and kitchens are needed for the number of occupants.
- How long does an HMO licence take?
HMO licence processing times are set by each council and commonly run from several weeks to a few months. A complete application with all certificates and a clear floor plan is processed faster, while missing documents, amenity shortfalls or an inspection can extend it. You can usually operate while a valid application is being decided, provided it was duly made before tenants moved in.
- How to apply for an HMO licence in England
To apply for an HMO licence in England, first confirm which scheme your council runs (mandatory, additional or selective), then complete that council's application form, supply the required documents and a floor plan, pay the council fee, and submit. Most councils process applications in a number of weeks. Get HMO Licence can complete and submit the whole application for you.
- What documents do you need for an HMO licence?
Most English councils require a scaled floor plan, a current gas safety certificate, an electrical installation condition report (EICR), fire alarm and fire risk assessment documentation, and proof of identity for an HMO licence application. Some also ask for an EPC, PAT records and a tenancy agreement. Exact requirements vary by council.