Do I need an HMO licence in Southampton? (2026)
Last updated 2026-06-20
In Southampton, 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. Southampton operates Mandatory, Additional licensing, which can require a licence for smaller shared homes below the mandatory threshold. The council fee is £953, paid directly to Southampton. Get HMO Licence completes and submits the whole application for £599.
Check & start my Southampton 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, Additional licensing
- Council fee
- £953
- Processing time
- check with Southampton
- Article 4
- check with Southampton
How much does an HMO licence cost in Southampton?
The council fee for an HMO licence in Southampton is £953, with our done-for-you service at £599.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Council fee — on application (Part A) | £300 |
| Council fee — on grant (Part B) | £653 |
| Council fee — total (paid to the council) | £953 |
| 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 Southampton
- Mandatory HMO licensing applies to larger HMOs (5 or more people forming 2 or more separate households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet).
- Southampton operates additional licensing, which can cover smaller HMOs.
Article 4 directions in Southampton
Article 4 status — check with Southampton.
Local rules in Southampton
- Two-stage fee: Stage 1 £300 + Stage 2 £653 (standard, timely & compliant).
- Independent-surveyor compliant route cheaper at £636; late application £1,618.
- Ward-specific Additional HMO scheme (nine wards) runs 1 Oct 2025-30 Sep 2030.
How long does it take in Southampton?
Southampton does not publish a standard processing time — we confirm the current timescale with Southampton when we submit your application.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an HMO licence in Southampton?
The council fee for an HMO licence in Southampton is £953. Get HMO Licence completes and submits the application for £599.
How long does an HMO licence take in Southampton?
Southampton does not publish a standard processing time — we confirm the current timescale with Southampton when we submit your application.
Does Southampton have additional or selective licensing?
Southampton operates Mandatory, Additional licensing, so smaller shared homes can also need a licence.
Can Get HMO Licence apply for my Southampton HMO licence for me?
Yes. Get HMO Licence completes and submits your Southampton HMO licence application for £599, with the council fee paid directly to Southampton.
Renting a shared home in Southampton? 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 Southampton 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 £953) 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 Southampton’s scheme and handle the whole application for you.
Prefer to DIY? Southampton HMO register →