HMO licensing in Basingstoke and Deane

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council operates the national mandatory scheme. We found no additional or selective licensing scheme in force or proposed as of September 2026. Councils can introduce one after a public consultation, so it is worth setting an alert.

The published fee for a new HMO licence is £1,108, and £1,042 to renew. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.

Fee is charged in two stages for a 5-year licence: New application - £489 on application + £619 on grant = £1,108 total. Renewal (5-year licence) - £423 on application + £619 on grant = £1,042 total. Discounted renewal - £423 + £567 = £990 total, applying a 5% discount where the renewal is submitted complete with all supporting documents and the application fee at least 28 days before the existing licence expires (discount applied at the point the licence is granted). There is also a 2-year licence option (used where planning consent or other conditions limit the licence period): £475 on application + £240 on grant = £715 total. Licence variations (e.g. change of manager, layout change) are free. Application fees can only be paid online by card (BACS accepted only in exceptional circumstances).

Check the current fee on the council website (basingstoke.gov.uk) before you apply.

National minimums for licensed HMOs are 6.51 m² for one adult and 10.22 m² for two adults; councils can apply higher local standards.

• A written Fire Risk Assessment is required for every HMO, following the LACORS 'Fire Safety' national guidance (2008) and, where relevant, in consultation with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.
• Typical small shared-house requirement: Grade D LD2 interlinked smoke alarm system covering each letting, the escape route, storage rooms, communal rooms and any cellar, plus interlinked heat alarms in all rooms with cooking facilities.
• A 30-minute protected escape route is required, including 30-minute fire-resistant construction and self-closing FD30S doors to each letting, storage rooms, communal rooms, any cellar, the kitchen, and any cupboard housing electrical items/sockets.
• A fixed fire blanket must be provided on the wall of every kitchen.
• Emergency lighting (to BS 5266) is only required where the escape route is complex and/or lacks effective borrowed light; where fitted it must be tested regularly with a full system test/service annually by a competent person.
• Grade D fire alarm systems must be tested weekly and all detectors cleaned at least annually (landlord self-certification accepted); Grade A systems must be tested weekly and inspected/serviced at least every 6 months per BS 5839-1:2013 Clause 45, with a certificate issued by a competent person.
• Higher-risk properties (individually let rooms sharing a kitchen, or kitchen facilities located within bedrooms) require additional fire precautions beyond the standard small-property specification — landlords are advised to contact the Environmental Health Team before undertaking works.
• Final exit doors and all individual letting exit doors must have locks/catches openable from the inside without a removable key; combustible wall/ceiling/soffit surface finishes are not permitted within the escape route.

• 1-4 occupants sharing: minimum 1 bathroom containing toilet, bath or shower, and wash hand basin (may be combined).
• 5 occupants: minimum 1 bathroom with bath/shower plus 1 separate toilet with wash hand basin.
• 6-10 occupants: minimum 2 bathrooms containing a bath or shower, plus 2 toilets with wash hand basins (at least 1 in a separate room).
• 11-15 occupants: minimum 3 bathrooms containing a bath or shower, plus 3 toilets with wash hand basins (at least 1 in a separate room).
• Kitchen size: minimum 7 m² usable floor area for 3-5 residents; minimum 10 m² for 6-10 residents; minimum width of 1.8m throughout.
• Kitchen equipment (per complete set, provided for every 5 persons): stainless steel sink with integral drainer and tiled splashback; gas or electric cooker with 4 simultaneous-use rings, oven and grill (300mm worktop each side); at least 3 double 13amp sockets (excluding fixed-appliance sockets); worktop at least 1000mm x 600mm; a food storage cupboard (500mm base or 1000mm wall unit) per occupant; fridge of at least 130 litres plus freezer of at least 60 litres; mechanical ventilation at 60 litres/second (or 30 litres/second if sited within 300mm of the hob centre).
• 6-7 occupants: 2 complete kitchen sets with 1500mm x 600mm worktop (a combination microwave may substitute the second cooker, a dishwasher the second sink). 8-10 occupants: 2 complete sets with 2000mm x 600mm worktop. 11-12 occupants: at least 2 separate kitchens with 3 complete sets each (2500mm x 600mm worktop each), plus 2 x 130-litre fridges (+20 litres per person over 10) and 2 x 60-litre freezers (+10 litres per person over 10). 13-15 occupants: at least 2 separate kitchens with 3 complete sets each (5000mm x 600mm worktop each).

• Proof of applicant photo ID and address — Required for all new applications.
• Floor plan with dimensions — Metric dimensions, showing the locations of all smoke/heat detectors, fire doors and emergency lighting positions.
• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) or EIC — Current, satisfactory report; inspected/tested at intervals not exceeding 5 years.
• Fire and smoke detection/alarm test certificate — Current certificate for the installed system.
• Fire Risk Assessment — Current FRA following LACORS Fire Safety guidance.
• Gas safety certificate — Current certificate, where gas appliances are present; latest certificate must also be supplied to the council within 7 days of any request.
• Emergency lighting testing certificate — Where emergency lighting is fitted.

• basingstoke.gov.uk
• basingstoke.gov.uk
• basingstoke.gov.uk

Compiled from the council’s own published pages and documents; data reviewed September 2026. Rules and fees change, so always confirm with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.