Do I need an HMO licence in County Durham? (2026)
Last updated 2026-06-20
In County Durham, an HMO licence is required where a property is let to 5 or more people forming 2 or more separate households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. County Durham operates Mandatory, Selective licensing, which can require a licence for smaller shared homes below the mandatory threshold. The council fee is £1,050 and County Durham typically processes applications in around 14 weeks. Get HMO Licence completes and submits the whole application for £599.
Check & start my County Durham application — £599
- Licence needed?
- Yes, where a property is let to 5 or more people forming 2 or more separate households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet
- Schemes in operation
- Mandatory, Selective licensing
- Council fee
- £1,050
- Processing time
- 14 weeks
- Article 4
- check with County Durham
How much does an HMO licence cost in County Durham?
The council fee for an HMO licence in County Durham is £1,050, with our done-for-you service at £599.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Council fee — on application (Part A) | £628 |
| Council fee — on grant (Part B) | £422 |
| Council fee — total (paid to the council) | £1,050 |
| Get HMO Licence — we do it for you | £599 |
| Measured floor plan where the council requires a scaled plan | Price on request |
| Fire risk assessment where required for the licence | Price on request |
Verified 2026-06-20
The council’s own fee is paid directly to the council — we add no markup.
Scheme types in County Durham
- Mandatory HMO licensing applies to larger HMOs (5 or more people forming 2 or more separate households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet).
- County Durham operates selective licensing for certain rented homes in designated areas.
Article 4 directions in County Durham
Article 4 status — check with County Durham.
Local rules in County Durham
- Two-stage fee: Stage 1 £628 on application + Stage 2 £422 on grant (from 1 April 2026).
- Renewal £999 (Stage 1 £577 + Stage 2 £422).
- Mandatory-only for HMO; a separate county-wide selective scheme (2022-2027) covers single private rentals, not HMOs.
- Aims to grant within 14 weeks of a valid application.
How long does it take in County Durham?
County Durham typically processes HMO licence applications in around 14 weeks.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an HMO licence in County Durham?
The council fee for an HMO licence in County Durham is £1,050. Get HMO Licence completes and submits the application for £599.
How long does an HMO licence take in County Durham?
County Durham typically processes HMO licence applications in around 14 weeks.
Does County Durham have additional or selective licensing?
County Durham operates Mandatory, Selective licensing, so smaller shared homes can also need a licence.
Can Get HMO Licence apply for my County Durham HMO licence for me?
Yes. Get HMO Licence completes and submits your County Durham HMO licence application for £599, with the council fee paid directly to County Durham.
Renting a shared home in County Durham? You may need an HMO licence.
Operating an unlicensed HMO risks a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence, plus a Rent Repayment Order of up to 24 months’ rent (Renters' Rights Act 2025).
We handle the whole application for £599.
Doing it yourself is the best part of a day — chasing certificates and decoding your council’s forms. We give you that day back: about five minutes from you, and we handle the rest.
Start my County Durham application — £599What you get
- Your day back — about five minutes of input from you, not a day of paperwork
- We complete and submit the full application to your council
- All the right forms for your council’s scheme
- A document checklist so nothing is missed
- A specialist review before submission
- Email support throughout
The council’s own fee (around £1,050) is paid directly to the council — no markup.
If we make an error that gets your application rejected as incomplete, we fix it free. We can never guarantee a licence. That decision is the council’s.
Secure payment via Stripe.
Prefer we call you and take it from here?
Leave your details — no payment to enquire — and we’ll confirm County Durham’s scheme and handle the whole application for you.
Prefer to DIY? County Durham HMO register →