South East
HMO licensing in Brighton & Hove
Brighton & Hove City Council requires a mandatory licence for HMOs occupied by 5 or more people from 2 or more households. It also runs additional licensing (bringing smaller HMOs into licensing) and selective licensing (covering other privately rented homes in designated areas). The published licence fee starts at £906 (£740 to renew).
Mandatory licence
5+ people, 2+ households
National scheme
Additional / selective
Additional + Selective
Council-designated schemes
Licence fee
From £906
Renewal £740
Decision time
Not published
Licensing schemes in Brighton & Hove
A new selective licensing designation for the Regency and Central Hove wards was made on 6 July 2026 and had been due to come into force on 20 October 2026 (ending 19 October 2031), but on 9 October 2026 the council announced it has PAUSED the introduction of this scheme following a legal challenge, which it needs time to consider; planned landlord engagement events are postponed and no new timeline has been given. This is on top of the existing four-ward selective scheme (Kemp Town, Moulsecoomb & Bevendean, Queens Park, Whitehawk & Marina; 2 Sept 2024 to 1 Sept 2029) and the city-wide additional HMO scheme (1 July 2024 to 30 June 2029), neither of which is affected by the pause.
- Announced
- 6 July 2026
Verified 12 October 2026
Licence fees
The published fee for a new HMO licence is £906, and £740 to renew. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.
Mandatory HMO licence for 5 occupants on a single tenancy: standard initial fee £906 and standard re-licence fee £740 (6 to 8 occupants £927 initial and £750 re-licence; 9 to 11 occupants £950; 12 to 14 occupants £972 initial). Where there are 5 or more tenancies, the standard initial fee is £1,137 for 5 tenancies and the re-licence fee £927. The fee is paid in two parts (Part A on application, Part B within 10 working days of approval). Discounts of £75 each (maximum two, £150) are not included.
Fee source: brighton-hove.gov.uk (checked 2 October 2026). Fees change during the year, so check the council before you apply.
Additional and selective licence fees
Fees for council-designated schemes are set separately from the mandatory HMO fee. Figures are the standard full-rate fee for a new licence, before any discounts.
Additional licence
£883
Ranges from £883 to £1,127
Additional HMO licence, standard initial fee for 3 to 4 unrelated occupants on a single tenancy (HMOs of 2 or more storeys); payable in two parts (Part A on application, Part B after approval), split not published for this fee
£75 discount each for accredited landlord/agent (ihowz, NRLA, safeagent, or Propertymark associate agent as licence holder), EPC C or above (or potential rating), or registered charity; maximum two discounts (£150). Single discount £808, double discount £733. Late fee £995 (no discounts). Multiple-tenancy (3 to 4 tenancies) standard initial fee is £1,127.
Scheme: From 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2029
Checked 2 October 2026 against brighton-hove.gov.uk
Selective licence
£740
Selective licence standard fee (Kemptown, Moulsecoomb and Bevendean, Queens Park, Whitehawk and Marina wards), paid in two parts: Part A £518 on application plus Part B £222 after approval
£75 discount each for accredited landlord/agent, EPC C or above, or registered charity; maximum two discounts. Single discount £665, double discount £590. Late fee £840 (standard fee plus £100, no discounts).
Scheme: From 2 September 2024 to 1 September 2029
Checked 2 October 2026 against brighton-hove.gov.uk
Minimum room sizes
| Child bedroom | 4.64 m² minimum floor area for one person aged under 10. |
|---|---|
| Double bedroom | 10.22 m² minimum floor area for two people aged over 10. |
| Single bedroom | 6.51 m² minimum floor area for one person aged over 10. |
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.
Fire safety requirements
- Provide interlinked smoke alarms on each storey and a heat alarm in the kitchen, with the system kept in working order.
- Provide fire doors to habitable rooms opening onto the escape route, normally FD30 where required by the risk assessment.
- Keep protected escape routes clear and provide emergency lighting, fire extinguishers and other precautions required by the property risk assessment.
- Maintain a current fire safety risk assessment where the HMO includes common parts or the council requires one.
Kitchen, bathroom and amenity standards
- Provide suitable kitchen, bathroom, WC and washing facilities for the number of people stated on the licence.
- Provide adequate cooking, food-preparation, storage and washing facilities with constant hot and cold water.
- Keep shared parts, facilities and amenities clean, safe, working and in good repair throughout the licence period.
- Keep the property within its licensed occupancy limit and manage household waste in accordance with the council scheme.
Documents you will need
- Gas safety certificate (CP12) — Within the last 12 months for every gas appliance on the property.
- EICR — Electrical Installation Condition Report, dated within the last five years.
- EPC — Valid Energy Performance Certificate for the property.
- Floor plan with room dimensions — To scale, showing every room and its floor area against the HMO minimums.
- Fire risk assessment — Current assessment of the property's means of escape, alarms and compartmentation.
Sources
- brighton-hove.gov.uk
- brighton-hove.gov.uk
- brighton-hove.gov.uk
- brighton-hove.gov.uk
- brighton-hove.gov.uk
- brighton-hove.gov.uk
- brighton-hove.gov.uk
Compiled from the council’s own published pages and documents; data reviewed September 2026. Rules and fees change, so always confirm with Brighton & Hove City Council before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.