How to apply for a new HMO licence

This page describes how to make an application for a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence and the information you need to have ready before you start.

To make a licence application valid (and thus for a landlord to fulfil their statutory duty to apply for a licence) we need to receive: 

• a fully completed application form
• a signed declaration
• the fee, paid in full

Information you need to provide in your application

You must provide details of:

• relevant accreditations, qualifications and professional memberships
• existing planning status of the house
• the facilities and amenities of the house
• any tenancy agreements
• the scheme in which tenancy deposits are held
• any criminal record held by the applicant, proposed licence holder and manager

You must provide separate contact details for all interested parties and inform them of your intention to apply for an HMO licence. You will be asked to provide the date on which you (the Applicant) informed each party. Interested parties are:

• the applicant
• the proposed Licence Holder
• the managers
• the owner or joint owners
• any long-term tenants and/or leaseholders
• any other person willing to be bound by the conditions of the licence
• all mortgage providers and relevant account numbers

When applicants don't have an email address or access to the web

Applicants who do not have their own email address can nominate a relative, friend or colleague to receive email communications on their behalf.

Applicants who do not have their own access to the web can arrange with a relative, friend or colleague to submit an application on their behalf. Alternatively, public computers are available in public libraries.

Check if you're eligible for a 5 year licence

If you are an existing licence holder operating HMOs with 5 year licences in the city, you may be eligible for a 5 year licence where either of these apply:

• the HMO was acquired and/or you began operating within the previous 12 weeks of making the application
• the application is for a change in the licence holder (at the time of the application all other relevant criteria for a 5 year licence must be met)

Criteria for a five-year HMO licence application

Please read before submitting your application

Please read all the following information before submitting your application:

• HMO Licence applications can only be submitted up to 4 weeks before the tenancy start date
• If the property is 'Newly Licensable' (or new owner), please ensure you have supplied signed tenancy agreements / proof of ownership showing that the tenancy / ownership began within 12 weeks of the application date or you will be charged the higher fee
• Application fees can only be paid online by card. In exceptional circumstances payment can be made via BACs transfer. If you cannot pay online, please call us on 01865252307.
• You must add the 'Interested Parties' separately even if the property is jointly owned. It is possible to add more than one freeholder/leaseholder etc. to your application
• All parties listed must have unique emails as we must contact each interested party individually. If a person does not have an email or has a duplicate email, then we will post the information. However, we prefer an email as this is more environmentally friendly and quicker

If any of the above issues are found, this may cause delays in processing your application. 

When you're ready to submit your application

Apply for a new HMO Licence

After you have submitted the application form, a copy will be automatically emailed back to you. Please keep this as proof of submission.

Processing time for new HMO applications

We aim to issue a new application within 18 weeks from the date of application. Issuing a licence within this time frame is dependent on the landlord supplying the required information and payment within timescales and that no representations are made.

Where information or payments are late, or representations made, then the processing time will be longer. Tacit consent does not apply given that we must ensure the HMO meets the prescribed standards. If you have not heard from us within 18 weeks, then please contact us.

More information and related content

• HMO licence pre-application advice visits
• Licence fees and charges for Houses in multiple occupation (HMO)
• How to pay the fee for a new HMO licence
• Approval process for a new HMO licence application
• Renew an HMO licence