Do I need an HMO licence in West Berkshire? (2026)
Last updated 2026-06-20
In West Berkshire, 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. West Berkshire runs mandatory HMO licensing only, so a licence is required for larger HMOs above the mandatory threshold. The council fee is £1,480, paid directly to West Berkshire. Get HMO Licence completes and submits the whole application for £599.
Check & start my West Berkshire 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 licensing
- Council fee
- £1,480
- Processing time
- check with West Berkshire
- Article 4
- check with West Berkshire
How much does an HMO licence cost in West Berkshire?
The council fee for an HMO licence in West Berkshire is £1,480, with our done-for-you service at £599.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Council fee — on application (Part A) | £888 |
| Council fee — on grant (Part B) | £592 |
| Council fee — total (paid to the council) | £1,480 |
| 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 West Berkshire
- Mandatory HMO licensing applies to larger HMOs (5 or more people forming 2 or more separate households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet).
Article 4 directions in West Berkshire
Article 4 status — check with West Berkshire.
Local rules in West Berkshire
- Administered by the Public Protection Partnership (PPP); identical fee schedule to Bracknell Forest.
- New (assisted) £1,480 (Stage 1 £888 + Stage 2 £592); renewal £999 (Stage 1 £600 + Stage 2 £399).
- 2026/27 fee, effective 1 April 2026 (up 7.2% from £1,380).
- Mandatory-only; no additional or selective scheme.
How long does it take in West Berkshire?
West Berkshire does not publish a standard processing time — we confirm the current timescale with West Berkshire when we submit your application.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an HMO licence in West Berkshire?
The council fee for an HMO licence in West Berkshire is £1,480. Get HMO Licence completes and submits the application for £599.
How long does an HMO licence take in West Berkshire?
West Berkshire does not publish a standard processing time — we confirm the current timescale with West Berkshire when we submit your application.
Does West Berkshire have additional or selective licensing?
West Berkshire operates mandatory HMO licensing. Check with West Berkshire for any additional or selective schemes.
Can Get HMO Licence apply for my West Berkshire HMO licence for me?
Yes. Get HMO Licence completes and submits your West Berkshire HMO licence application for £599, with the council fee paid directly to West Berkshire.
Renting a shared home in West Berkshire? 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 West Berkshire 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 £1,480) 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 West Berkshire’s scheme and handle the whole application for you.
Prefer to DIY? West Berkshire HMO register →