How do you renew an HMO licence?
By Patrick Roper · Last reviewed 2026-06-30
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.
- Typical length
- Up to five years, set by the council · source: GOV.UK
- When to renew
- Before the current licence expires · source: GOV.UK
- What is needed
- Current certificates and any changes declared · source: GOV.UK
- If it lapses
- The property is unlicensed, with the same penalties · source: Housing Act 2004
Most HMO licences are granted for up to five years, though some councils issue shorter terms where there are concerns about the property or the management. The exact length is on your licence, and it is the date you need to work back from.
Renewal is a fresh application to the same council, not an automatic rollover. You confirm the property and management details, declare anything that has changed since the last application, and supply current certificates such as the gas safety record, the electrical condition report and any required fire-safety documentation. Where the council has updated its standards or conditions, the renewal needs to meet the current version.
Timing is the part landlords miss. If the licence expires before the renewal is granted, the property is unlicensed in the meantime, and the consequences are the same as never having licensed it, including a civil penalty and a possible Rent Repayment Order. Apply in good time so there is no gap.
If you would rather not track expiry dates and rebuild the application each cycle, we can handle the renewal for you, including checking that the current standards are met before it goes in.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an HMO licence last?
Usually up to five years, though councils can issue a shorter term. The length is stated on your licence.
What happens if my HMO licence expires before I renew?
The property becomes unlicensed, and the same penalties apply as for never licensing it, including a civil penalty and a possible Rent Repayment Order. Renewing before expiry avoids the gap.
Is renewing an HMO licence cheaper than a first application?
Some councils charge a lower renewal fee, but not all. The fee is set by your council, and the application still needs current certificates and any changes declared.