Fee structure for Licensing of Mandatory Houses in Multiple Occupation

Published: 1 April 2025

Application fees

There are two fees to pay

Part A fee 

This is payable on application and covers the cost of administration and inspection. The payment is based on the number of rooms being let.

Part B fee

This is payable on grant of the licence and covers the cost of the overall management of the HMO licences.  It must be paid before a licence is issued.

Once a HMO licence is granted, a refund will only be given in exceptional circumstances and at the Council’s discretion, as the fees are calculated to cover our costs, which may have already been incurred.  No reduced licence fee is available. 

Fees payable

Licence issued for up to 5 years TotalPart APart B
Fee per habitable room (e.g. bedroom or living room) £285£171£114

The maximum fee payable is £5,707 

Licence issued for 1 yearTotalPart APart B
Fee per habitable room (e.g. bedroom or living room) £194£171£23

A one year licence is issued when we determine a licence for less than 5 years should be granted. This will allow higher levels of monitoring and allow a licence holder time to get their property management in order. At the end of one year a new application will be needed. The council may refuse to issue a licence or issue a licence of a further one year or five year period. 

HMO advisory visits

A HMO advisory visit is for a landlord who is thinking of renting an empty property as a house in multiple occupation.  A visit from a Private Sector Housing Team officer can offer advice, a full inspection which includes the calculation of room sizes.  To conclude a schedule of works is produced covering what is required to bring the property up to the full HMO standard. Eligibility for a licence is to be considered in line with the Sustainable Communities, Regeneration and Economic Recovery Enforcement Policy and the policy relating to the granting of a licence. 

The fee for an advisory visit is £228

Other fees and charges

These fees are applicable as appropriate in relation to licensing applications, or where properties are licensed. 

Licensed Premises Proposed Licence, Variation fees
Licensed Premises Proposed Licence Variation Variation Application Fee
Change of address details of any existing licence holder, manager, owner, mortgagee, freeholder, leaseholder etc. No fee
 Change of mortgagee, owner, freeholder, and leaseholder (unless they are also the licence holder or manager) No fee
 Reduction in the number of maximum occupiers and/or households for licensing purposes  No fee
Variation of licence instigated by the council  No fee
Change of licence holder (e.g. following sale) Application fee
Change of manager (unless they are also the licence holder) No fee
 Increase in the number of maximum occupiers or households for licensing purposes, through increasing the number of habitable rooms, change in room sizes, or amenity provision  No fee

Other charges

Other charges relating to HMO licence application
ActionApplicable fee
Processing of Temporary Exemption Notice No fee
Processing of Temporary Exemption Notice No fee, and a refund of the Part A fee [if taken] will be made. 
Revocation of licenceNo refund of application fee
Application to licence following revocation of licence  Application fee
Application refused by the council  Part A application fee not refunded  
Application withdrawn by applicantPart A application fee not refunded  
Application made in error and not granted e.g. duplicate or exempt. Non-payment of the Part B payment  No fee, and a refund of the Part A fee will be made
Non-payment of the Part B payment Licence will be determined as not duly made.  No refund of Part A fee. 
Providing support with licence application No fee
Properties that cease to be licensable during the licensing process (as when planning permission subsequently refused) No refund of application fee
Enforcement action under Part 1 of the Housing Act 2004 relating to a licensed property (Charged under The Housing Act 2004, Section 49)  A separate charge for action, currently £513 for notice with additional £100 per hazard.