HMO Licence
HMO Licence: cost, rules and how to book
Licence required to let a House in Multiple Occupation. Rules and fees vary by council.
- Typical UK cost
- £500 to £2,000
- Validity
- Typically 5 years
- Legal basis
- Housing Act 2004, Part 2.
Book an HMO Licence
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HMO licensing fee finder
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Mandatory, Additional and Selective HMO licensing rules are set locally. We map the schemes for 30 UK councils and tell you what applies nationally for the rest.
HMO licensing by council
HMO licensing is set by your council, not by Parliament. Schemes, fees and thresholds vary widely. Pick your council for the current scheme position and the official application link.
Typical fee: £1100 to £1400
View Brent scheme →
Typical fee: £1100 to £1500
View Camden scheme →
Typical fee: £950 to £1300
View Croydon scheme →
Typical fee: £1100 to £1400
View Ealing scheme →
Typical fee: £1000 to £1350
View Enfield scheme →
Typical fee: £1100 to £1400
View Hackney scheme →
Typical fee: £1100 to £1400
View Hammersmith and Fulham scheme →
Typical fee: £1100 to £1400
View Haringey scheme →
Typical fee: £1100 to £1500
View Islington scheme →
Typical fee: £1100 to £1450
View Lambeth scheme →
Typical fee: £1000 to £1400
View Lewisham scheme →
Typical fee: £1100 to £1500
View Newham scheme →
Typical fee: £1100 to £1450
View Southwark scheme →
Typical fee: £1100 to £1500
View Tower Hamlets scheme →
Typical fee: £1000 to £1400
View Waltham Forest scheme →
Typical fee: £1000 to £1350
View Wandsworth scheme →
Typical fee: £1200 to £1600
View Westminster scheme →
Typical fee: £1000 to £1400
View Greenwich scheme →
Typical fee: £1100 to £1300
View Manchester scheme →
Typical fee: £1100 to £1400
View Birmingham scheme →
Typical fee: £1000 to £1300
View Liverpool scheme →
Typical fee: £850 to £1200
View Leeds scheme →
Typical fee: £900 to £1200
View Sheffield scheme →
Typical fee: £1000 to £1350
View Bristol scheme →
Typical fee: £950 to £1250
View Nottingham scheme →
Typical fee: £1000 to £1400
View Brighton and Hove scheme →
Typical fee: £900 to £1200
View Leicester scheme →
Typical fee: £900 to £1250
View Salford scheme →
Typical fee: £800 to £1100
View Bradford scheme →
Typical fee: £900 to £1300
View Cardiff scheme →
Typical fee: £700 to £1100
View Edinburgh scheme →
What landlords need to know
The HMO Licence is required under Housing Act 2004, Part 2. Certificates are valid for typically 5 years and must be renewed before they expire. Tenants are entitled to a copy when a new tenancy begins or within 28 days of a renewal inspection.
Costs vary by location, property size and the engineer's hourly rate. A two-bedroom flat in central London will typically cost more than a similar property in a regional city, primarily because of travel time and parking. Older properties with outdated wiring or installations may take longer to inspect.
We aggregate cost figures from public data and trade body guidance, then refresh them quarterly. Always confirm the final price with your chosen provider before booking.