HMO licence cost: council fees compared

We collected the published fee for 112 additional HMO and selective licensing schemes in force or approved in England. The median additional HMO licence costs £1,400 for 5 years; the median selective licence costs £786.

Home › HMO › HMO licence cost
Fee for 5 yearsSchemes with a published feeMedianLowestHighest
Additional HMO: London27£1,433£755£2,750
Additional HMO: rest of England17£1,100£700£2,347
Selective: London37£786£640£998
Selective: rest of England31£736£466£1,290

What the HMO licence fee covers

The fee pays for the council processing your application and running the scheme. Most councils split it into two parts: Part A with the application and Part B when the licence is granted. Fees are for a standard new licence lasting up to 5 years; some councils grant shorter licences, for example where they have concerns about the property or manager.

On top of the council fee, budget for the documents you will need: gas safety certificate, electrical installation condition report (EICR), EPC, fire alarm and emergency lighting certificates for larger HMOs, and a floor plan. Work to meet room size and amenity standards can cost far more than the fee itself.

HMO licence fees: discounts and extra charges

  • Discounts: often for accredited landlords, early applications or good EPC ratings.
  • Per-room or per-occupant charges: common for HMOs above a base size.
  • Late or penalty fees: some councils charge more if you apply after the scheme starts or after being found unlicensed.
  • Renewal: some councils charge less for a renewal made before the old licence expires.

Mandatory HMO licence fees are set by each council on its fees page. Our council pages show the scheme fee and link to the council's fee page.

Additional HMO licence fees by council

CouncilStatusFeePart A / Part BBasis and discounts
LambethIn force£2,750—£550 per habitable room (5 rooms) from 1 Apr 2026. £75 accredited off Part B; no renewal discount
GreenwichIn force£2,639—£527.82 per letting (5 lettings); 6+ lettings £316.69 per extra letting; half on application, half at draft licence
LewishamIn force£2,500£1,250 / £1,250£250+£250 per lettable unit (5 units shown). Part 2 £150/unit for accredited landlords; eligible charity & portfolio (15+ units) discounts
ArunIn force£2,347£1,902 / £4453-4 person house or flat (2026-27 fees); s257 building up to 6 flats £2,468 (2,023+445), >6 flats £2,589; s254 converted mixed-use £2,387
BarnetIn force£1,872—per HMO + £37 per unit above 5; two instalments (LPL figure, not council-verified). 10% off first instalment accredited / registered charities (LPL)
RedbridgeIn force£1,865£696 / £1,169smallest household band (3 households); rises per household up to £2,728.51; apps 1 Apr 2026-31 Mar 2027. £35 off second payment accredited
SuttonIn force£1,598—£319.50 per letting x5 (LPL figure, not council-verified)
HounslowIn force£1,550—per property + £25 per household. £95 accredited
WestminsterIn force£1,540£855 / £685up to 5 bedrooms + £68 per extra letting (fees from 1 Apr 2025). per schedule (accredited / energy / charities)
CamdenIn force£1,531—per HMO. £100 accredited (LPL); no renewal discount
YorkIn force£1,524£914 / £6102026/27 Band A 3-6 occupants; B 7-9 £1,779 (1,067+712); C 10-14 £1,944 (1,166+778); D 15+ £2,186 (1,312+874); same fees for mandatory. £75 off second (Part B) fee with relevant HMO qualification/training
WandsworthIn force£1,507£903 / £604per property. multi-dwelling £104 off A; EPC B+ £104 / C £52 off B; social-rent provision £104; Gold Standard 40% off B; accredited £104 off B
ReadingIn force£1,500£750 / £750fee carried from existing council-verified d3 row (not re-read this pass)
Kensington and ChelseaIn force£1,493£1,004 / £489up to 5 units, +£72 per additional room; fees from 1 Apr 2026 (same for mandatory). £200 accredited (LLAS/NRLA etc); £30 each when 3+ applications same landlord/agent; none if found unlicensed
EnfieldIn force£1,450—per property (LPL figure, not council-verified)
MertonIn force£1,450—£1,450-£1,550 by bedrooms (2-4). £50 accredited
SouthwarkIn force£1,433£1,018 / £416per HMO, from 1 Apr 2026 (was £1,365.10); s257 licences free. Gold Standard Charter 50% off Part B (finders-fee members no Part B); registered charities 50% off A and B
SalfordApproved – not started yet£1,432£1,054 / £378s257 HMO with 1-4 flats, new application; 5-8 flats £1,711.65 (1,333.96+377.69); subsequent £1,394.99. accredited £1,321.02; early (before 24 Nov 2026 or within 3 months of purchase) £1,365.80
HillingdonIn force£1,401—per HMO, 1 Apr 2026-31 Mar 2027 (two instalments)
Barking and DagenhamIn force£1,400—per property. up to £250 off if satisfactory compliance inspection (amount depends on accreditation)
HackneyIn force£1,400£840 / £560per property. EPC B+ £100 off B; EPC C £50 off B; accredited £100 off B; multi-dwelling £100 off A
HaveringIn force£1,400£840 / £560per property. £100 off B accredited; £75 off B EPC C+; £100 per extra dwelling same building; no early-bird
IslingtonIn force£1,400£500 / £900£900 + £100 per letting (5 lettings shown), cap 21 lettings; s257 £800 per building. £75 accredited; £50 EPC A-C; £25 renewal (off Part B)
HaringeyIn force£1,360—per property +£50 per unit above 5 (LPL figure; council fee page bot-blocked). £50 accredited; £50 EPC A-C (LPL)
EalingIn force£1,300£300 / £1,000per HMO (3-4 occupants); s257 £1,100 (£400+£700). £75 accredited, £50 EPC A-C (off Part B)
GloucesterIn force£1,260—new licence up to 5 years £1,260; renewal £900 (fees from 1 Apr 2026). reduced new-application fee £1,060 for additional-designation properties received before 21 Oct 2026
CroydonIn force£1,250£750 / £500per property, 5-yr (1-yr licence £850). EPC B+ £50 off B; accredited £100 off B
NewhamIn force£1,250£400 / £850per property. £50 accredited; £50 accredited + EPC C+; newly-PRS EPC C+ £800; nightly-paid TA £400
BoltonApproved – not started yet£1,211—5-year licence per property
Waltham ForestIn force£1,200£600 / £600per HMO. multi-property £1,075; EPC C £1,105; EPC A/B £800
WorcesterIn force£1,181£556 / £6252026/27 new application 2-4 units; s257 5-7 units £1,246.30, 8+ £1,351.36
PeterboroughIn force£1,100——
Newcastle upon TyneIn force£1,100£350 / £750additional & mandatory HMO licence, fees from June 2025. EPC A-C £100; valid application within 1 month of purchase £50 (new only); accreditation £100 (mandatory only)
BrentIn force£1,040£540 / £500per property. £40 accredited (LPL)
Tower HamletsIn force£1,029—£756 + £54.50 per habitable room (5 rooms); +£47.50 to pay in 2 instalments
RochdaleIn force£1,011—£1,011 application + £53 inspection fee per habitable room (5-year)
Bristol, City ofIn force£1,000—new licence (council map layer attribute)
GatesheadIn force£976£586 / £391accredited £75 off Part B; £10 per extra property applied together
PortsmouthIn force£886£222 / £664new application, 5-year licence (updated 1 Apr 2026); 2.5-yr £917 (222+695); 1-yr £1,229 (222+1,007). 5-year term requires accreditation etc.; licence period criteria
Brighton and HoveIn force£849—3-4 unrelated occupants, single tenancy; 3-4 tenancies £1,083 (single discount £1,006 / double £929 / late £1,147). single discount £772, double discount £695
WokingIn force£830—£830 + £10 per bedroom let
BirminghamIn force£755—per licence
Hammersmith and FulhamIn force£755—per property (2026/27). £80 accredited OR £50 rental charter (one only)
CharnwoodIn force£700£395 / £305two-stage fee per licence; +£10 per bedroom over 6 (mandatory only). DASH accredited £615 (stage 2 £220); re-licence before expiry £615

Selective licence fees by council

CouncilStatusFeePart A / Part BBasis and discounts
LeicesterIn force£1,290£1,032 / £258—
Leeds
East, South and West Leeds 2026
In force£1,100—online (£1,225 paper); Part A/B split revised 26 Feb 2026 (second fee £700). £150 Leeds Rental Standard members
ThurrockIn force£1,035£237 / £798—
North East Lincolnshire
East Marsh (Grimsby)
In force£1,000—5-year total. accredited: £725 (liable £275 if accreditation lapses)
Redbridge
Scheme 3
In force£998£371 / £627per property (apps 1 Apr 2026-31 Mar 2027). £35 off second payment accredited
Redbridge
Scheme 4
In force£998£371 / £627per property (apps 1 Apr 2026-31 Mar 2027). £35 off second payment accredited
Westminster
Selective licensing (Designations 1 & 2)
In force£995£543 / £452per property. 10% accredited (£99.50); EPC B+ 20% of B; EPC C 10% of B; £125 multiple leaseholds same freehold; 100% qualifying charities
Rotherham
2026-2031 six areas
In force£975——
Manchester
2025 designation (Cheetham, Crumpsall, Harpurhey, Longsight, Miles Platting & Newton Heath, Moss Side)
In force£964£469 / £495early bird £764 (24 Feb-23 May 2025); subsequent £864
North Lincolnshire
Scunthorpe Designation Area 1
In force£955£615 / £340—
Barking and DagenhamIn force£950—per property
Havering
Scheme 2
In force£950£570 / £380per property. £100 off B accredited; £75 off B EPC C+; £100 per extra dwelling same building; no early-bird
Southwark
Designations 1 & 2
In force£945£662 / £284per property (no change after 1 Apr 2026). Gold Standard Charter 50% off Part B; charities 50%
Southwark
Designations 3 & 4
In force£945£662 / £284per property. Gold Standard Charter 50% off Part B; charities 50%
Manchester
2023 designation (Longsight, Levenshulme, Moss Side, Rusholme)
In force£936£490 / £446early bird £736; subsequent £828
HackneyIn force£925£555 / £370per property. EPC B+ £100 off B; EPC C £50 off B; accredited £100 off B; multi-dwelling £100 off A
Lambeth
Phase 1
In force£923—per property. £50 EPC C+; £75 accredited; multi-flat
Lambeth
Phase 2
In force£923—per property
Greenwich
2022 scheme (5 wards, parts)
In force£906—per property; half on application, half at draft licence
Waltham Forest
Selective licensing 2025
In force£895£300 / £595per property. multi-property £770; EPC C £800; EPC A/B £600; charity £400
Wandsworth
Designation 1
In force£885£529 / £356per property. as additional; Gold Standard 40% off B
Wandsworth
Designation 2
In force£885£529 / £356per property. early bird £159 (30%) off Part A until 2026-10-01 (LPL date)
Oadby and WigstonIn force£850£450 / £400application + subsistence per property. accredited (NRLA/EMPO/DASH) £750; multi-property £800; previous-scheme licensee £700; combos £700/£600
Gateshead
Phase 1 (8 areas)
In force£850£510 / £340early bird £75 (3 months before start); accredited £75 off Part B; £10 per extra property applied together
Gateshead
Phase 2 (8 areas)
In force£850£510 / £340early bird £75 (3 months before start); accredited £75 off Part B; £10 per extra property applied together
Islington
2024 scheme
In force£850£450 / £400per property. £75 accredited; £50 EPC A-C; £25 renewal
Islington
Selective Licensing 2026 designation
Approved – not started yet£850£450 / £400per property (current fees doc)
Middlesbrough
Newport 2
In force£836—+£20 fit and proper person test
MansfieldIn force£800£500 / £300£100 accredited; early-bird + accredited = £650
BexleyIn force£800—per property; two instalments. £50 accredited landlords/agents
CroydonIn force£800£480 / £320per property, 5-yr (1-yr licence £544). EPC B+ £50 off B; accredited £100 off B; multi-dwelling £100 off A (2nd+ flat)
Manchester
2022 designation (Clayton & Openshaw, Gorton & Abbey Hey, Harpurhey)
In force£798£402 / £396early bird £591; subsequent £694
Harrow
Selective Licensing 2026 - Edgware
In force£786£686 / £100admin £686 + management/enforcement £100; renewal same
Harrow
Selective Licensing 2026 - Roxeth
In force£786£686 / £100admin £686 + management/enforcement £100; renewal same
Harrow
Selective Licensing 2026 - Greenhill
In force£786£686 / £100admin £686 + management/enforcement £100; renewal same
Harrow
Selective Licensing 2026 - Marlborough
In force£786£686 / £100admin £686 + management/enforcement £100; renewal same
Harrow
Selective Licensing 2026 - Wealdstone North
In force£786£686 / £100admin £686 + management/enforcement £100; renewal same
Harrow
Selective Licensing 2026 - Wealdstone South
In force£786£686 / £100admin £686 + management/enforcement £100; renewal same
Burnley
Trinity, Daneshouse & Stoneyholme, Gannow, Queensgate, Padiham
In force£774—online application; £692 previous licence holders. early application and GLAS member discounts
Hammersmith and FulhamIn force£755—per property (2026/27). £80 accredited OR £50 rental charter
Ealing
Selective designation 1
In force£750£250 / £500per property. £75 accredited; £50 EPC A-C; 10% for 2+ flats same building (selective only)
Ealing
Selective designation 2
In force£750£250 / £500per property. £75 accredited; £50 EPC A-C; 10% for 2+ flats same building (selective only)
Enfield
2026 scheme (Designations One and Two)
In force£750£450 / £300per property. £50 off Part 2 accredited; £100 off Part 2 EPC C+; £100 off Part 1 for 2nd+ contiguous dwellings same block
Newham
Selective licensing No.1 2023
In force£750£400 / £350per property; 2nd property onwards £700. £50 accredited; £50 accredited+EPC C+ (min £650); newly-PRS EPC C+ £400; nightly-paid TA £400
Tower HamletsIn force£747—per property (online)
Burnley
Burnley Wood with Healey Wood & Leyland Road
In force£736—online application; £661 previous licence holders. early application and GLAS member discounts
Brighton and Hove
Selective licensing 2026 (Central Hove & Regency)
Approved – not started yet£711—council fee page (same page as 2024 scheme); NRLA/LandlordZone report £740 for new scheme - check. £75 accredited / EPC C+ / charity (max £150)
Brighton and Hove
Selective licensing (Kemptown, Moulsecoomb & Bevendean, Queens Park, Whitehawk & Marina)
In force£711—per property; Part A at application, Part B within 10 working days of approval. £75 each for accredited landlord/Propertymark agent, EPC C+, registered charity (max £150); £50/£75 per additional flat in same block
Haringey
Selective licensing 2022
In force£706£412 / £294per property 5 years. £50 off B accredited; £50 off B EPC C+; £75 off A per 2nd+ flat (3+ flats same block)
Liverpool
2022 scheme
In force£704£232 / £472full property licence. new rental £486; EPC C+ £422; multi-flat; landlord membership £449; homelessness-duty landlords no fee
BirminghamIn force£700—per licence (max 5 yrs)
CharnwoodIn force£700£395 / £305two-stage fee per licence. DASH accredited £615
North Yorkshire
Scarborough Town
In force£695£180 / £515—
MertonIn force£692—per property. £50 accredited
Stockton-on-Tees
Central Stockton, North Thornaby and Newtown
In force£653£178 / £475£178 application + £95/year x5. A: £50/yr accredited (Council scheme, PLuSS, NRLA, BLA); B: £75/yr if accredited by 31 May 2024; C: £25 off application for 2nd+ property
Brent
Designation 1
In force£640—per property
Brent
Designation 2
In force£640—per property
Lewisham
Designation 1
In force£640£160 / £480per property. early application, accredited, eligible charity (off 2nd payment; amounts not stated)
Lewisham
Designation 2
In force£640£160 / £480per property. early application, accredited, eligible charity (off 2nd payment; amounts not stated)
Lewisham
Designation 3
In force£640£160 / £480per property. early application, accredited, eligible charity (off 2nd payment; amounts not stated)
Salford
Broughton, Kersal & Broughton Park
In force£609—non-accredited first application from 22 Jul 2026 (£570 subsequent). 21 Jan-21 Apr 2026 £450; 22 Apr-21 Jul 2026 £530; accredited £390
Salford
Eccles, Barton and Winton
In force£609—non-accredited first application from 2 Mar 2023 (£589 subsequent)
Doncaster
Hexthorpe
In force£600£200 / £4005-year licence. £50 for members of a recognised body
County Durham
2022 scheme
In force£585£200 / £385£435 (A £165/B £270) for holders of a licence on 1 Apr 2025 adding a property within 12 weeks
OldhamIn force£582£340 / £242—
North Yorkshire
Scarborough South / central
In force£550£180 / £370—
Bristol, City of
Bedminster & Brislington West 2022
In force£499—new licence (council map layer attribute)
East StaffordshireIn force£466—single property licence (page fee table; may be out of date). accredited -£50; introductory (6 weeks) -£100; multiple property -£50; non-mandatory HMO under selective £569

Standard fee for one property as published on each council's website, checked 28 Sep 2026. Where a council's page could not be read directly the council page on this site says so. Fees usually change each April: confirm on the council fee page before paying.

What it costs to get help

You can apply yourself through the council portal. If you want help, we prepare applications for a fixed fee, separate from the council fee: see pricing and how to apply.

Get a quote for your licence application

We may refer legal matters to an SRA-regulated solicitor and may receive a referral fee; we will tell you before any referral. See how we make money.

HMO licence fee questions

How much is an HMO licence?

Each council sets its own fee. For additional HMO licensing schemes in force, the published 5-year fee ranges from £700 to £2,750 with a median of £1,400 (44 schemes). Mandatory HMO licence fees are often similar or higher and many councils charge per room or per occupant above a base number.

How much is an HMO licence in London?

For additional HMO licensing in London boroughs the median published fee is £1,433 (27 schemes, £755 to £2,750). Outside London the median is £1,100.

How much is a landlord (selective) licence?

For selective licensing schemes the median published fee is £786 for 5 years (68 schemes, £466 to £1,290). London median £786; outside London £736.

Why is the licence fee split into Part A and Part B?

Following court rulings on licence fees, notably the Supreme Court in Hemming v Westminster (2017), councils generally charge a first part with the application, covering processing, and a second part only when the licence is granted, covering running and enforcing the scheme.

Is there an HMO licence renewal fee?

A licence lasts up to 5 years and you must apply again before it expires. Some councils charge a lower renewal fee; others charge the full fee. Where a council publishes a renewal fee, it appears on that council's page.

Sources

Last checked 28 Sep 2026. Information, not legal advice. Licensing schemes change often; always confirm with the council before you act.