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Do I need a landlord licence for my property?

Some properties in the UK require a landlord licence, depending on the type of let and your local council’s rules.

When a licence is required

You’ll typically need a licence if:

  • You rent out a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) — a property occupied by 3 or more people from more than one household who share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom. Most HMOs with 5 or more occupants from 2 or more households require a mandatory licence.

  • Your property is in an area with a selective licensing scheme — a council-designated scheme that requires all private rented properties in a defined area to be licensed, regardless of property type.

  • Your property falls within a borough that has introduced additional licensing — an extension of mandatory HMO licensing that covers smaller HMOs not captured by the mandatory scheme (typically properties with fewer than 5 occupants).

How to check

Licensing rules vary by local authority, so you should:

  • Visit your local council’s website (search for your council at gov.uk/find-local-council).

  • Search for “landlord licensing” or “HMO licensing”.

  • Enter your property postcode to check requirements.

Renting without a required licence is a criminal offence. Penalties can include fines of up to £30,000, a Rent Repayment Order (RRO) requiring repayment of up to 12 months' rent, and restrictions on serving a valid Section 21 eviction notice.