Our HMO licence application pack starts at from £475: a measured visit, licence floor plans and the council's form completed from the survey. The licence fee itself is paid to your council, which sets it.
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If you are weighing whether to prepare the application yourself, this post sets out what the pack saves and what it does not. It also covers the part that often catches landlords out: the council's requirements are its own, so two London boroughs can ask for different things.
What does the licence cost, and who sets it?
The council does. GOV.UK says the fee is set by the council, and that each HMO needs its own licence, valid for a maximum of five years (GOV.UK). Section 63 of the Housing Act 2004 lets the council fix the fee and specify what an application must contain, subject to any regulations (section 63).
That is why we do not quote a licence fee. It differs between boroughs, may include a charge per room, and is reviewed from time to time. Ask your council for its current fee and its application checklist before you apply, and tell us which borough you are in when you book.
Does my house need a licence at all?
Probably, if five or more people from two or more households share it. Article 4 of the 2018 Order sets that mandatory test (article 4). GOV.UK adds that smaller HMOs may still need a licence depending on the area, so check with your council.
Councils can widen the net. Section 56 lets a council designate additional licensing for HMOs that the mandatory rule does not catch (section 56). So a three-bed share may be unlicensed in one borough and licensable in the next. Our HMO planning guide explains the difference between licensing and planning.
What goes in the pack?
The measured visit comes first. We measure every room and note the kitchens, bathrooms and shared spaces, because the licence conditions are written in square metres: a bedroom for one person over ten must be at least 6.51 sq m (2018 Regulations). Then we draw floor plans showing each room's area, use and the number of people it sleeps.
The council's form is completed from that survey, with the plans attached. We also give you a checklist of the certificates and documents councils usually ask for, such as the annual gas safety certificate GOV.UK mentions. Your council's list takes precedence, so use it as the final check.
What is the difference from HMO drawings?
Scope. Our HMO drawings service is the fuller set, with the fire strategy plan and amenity layouts that planning and the larger licensing cases need. The licence pack is the shorter route for a landlord whose job is the licence application: plans and form, ready to submit.
If a planning application is also needed, for example a change of use to a seven-person HMO, the larger drawing set is the right one. If the house is already let and you only need plans, the landlord floor plans service is at from £325.
What if I let without a licence?
GOV.UK says renting out an unlicensed HMO can result in an unlimited fine. A landlord who finds out late should apply promptly, and the pack makes that quicker. We are not solicitors, so if the council has already written to you about enforcement, take legal advice as well.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply without a pack? Yes. GOV.UK says you should apply yourself, but a managing agent can apply for you. We prepare the plans and form; the application and the fee remain yours.
How long does the licence last? A maximum of five years. Diary the renewal date, because you must renew before the licence expires.
Do I need an HMO licence and planning permission? They are separate. A licence says nothing about planning, and planning permission says nothing about licensing. See our HMO planning guide.
Do you submit the application for me? The pack is prepared for you to submit with the council's fee. If you want us to act as your agent, ask when you book and we will say what that involves before you pay.
