South West
HMO licensing in Bristol
Bristol 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 £1,886 (£1,564 to renew).
Mandatory licence
5+ people, 2+ households
National scheme
Additional / selective
Additional + Selective
Council-designated schemes
Licence fee
From £1,886
Renewal £1,564
Decision time
Not published
Licensing schemes in Bristol
Selective licensing for Bedminster and Brislington West wards runs 6 April 2022 to 5 April 2027 (the ward-level additional HMO schemes for Bedminster, Brislington West and Horfield end the same day). Landlords there should plan for the scheme ending; the council has not published a renewal proposal. Separately, a city-wide additional HMO scheme (3-4 occupants) and a selective scheme for Bishopston and Ashley Down, Cotham and Easton both run 6 August 2024 to 5 August 2029.
- In force from
- 6 April 2022
- Scheme ends
- 5 April 2027
Verified 24 September 2026
Licence fees
The published fee for a new HMO licence is £1,886, and £1,564 to renew. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.
Mandatory HMO licence fee: a new licence costs £1,886, paid in two parts, £1,121 on application and £765 before the licence is issued. A renewal costs £1,564, paid as £929 and £635. A £150 Rent with Confidence accreditation discount and a £150 safety-certificates discount may each reduce the second payment. The licence lasts 5 years.
Check the current fee on the council website (bristol.gov.uk) 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
£1,861
Renewal £1,470
Citywide additional HMO licence (scheme from 6 August 2024), first-time licence for an HMO with 3 or more occupiers, full rate, paid in two parts (£1,023 on application + £838 before the licence is issued). 5-year licence.
£150 Rent with Confidence accreditation discount and £150 safety and performance certificates discount (gas safety record, EICR, EPC supplied before issue), both taken off the second payment. Renewal is £1,470 (£808 + £662). The older Bedminster, Brislington West and Horfield additional scheme (from 6 April 2022) is £1,300 (£1,000 + £300).
Scheme: From 6 August 2024
Checked 5 October 2026 against bristol.gov.uk
Selective licence
£912
Ranges from £799 to £912
Selective licence for a privately rented non-HMO dwelling in the Bishopston and Ashley Down, Cotham and Easton wards (scheme from 6 August 2024), full rate, paid in two parts (£467 on application + £445 before the licence is issued). 5-year licence.
£150 Rent with Confidence accreditation discount and £150 safety and performance certificates discount, both taken off the second payment. The separate Bedminster and Brislington West selective scheme (from 6 April 2022) is £799 (£499 + £300).
Scheme: From 6 August 2024
Checked 5 October 2026 against bristol.gov.uk
Minimum room sizes
| Child bedroom | 4.64 m² |
|---|---|
| Double bedroom | 10.22 m² |
| Single bedroom | 6.51 m² |
| Shared kitchen (1–3 occupiers) | 5 m² |
| Communal living space (1–3 occupiers) | 13.5 m² |
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
- Fire detection should be interlinked, mains-powered with tamper-proof battery backup, with the grade and detector coverage determined by the property layout and occupancy.
- Provide fire doors to rooms leading to the escape route; kitchens and individual bedsits generally require 30-minute fire doors with combined smoke and intumescent seals.
- Keep means of escape free from obstructions and fire risks; an approved competent-person fire risk assessment may be used as an alternative where accepted by the council.
Kitchen, bathroom and amenity standards
- For 1–4 occupiers sharing, provide at least one fixed bath or shower and one toilet.
- For 5 or more occupiers, provide at least one bath or shower per 5 occupants (or part of) and one separate toilet per 5 occupants (or part of), unless a complete bathroom is provided instead.
- Provide a sink with constant hot and cold water and a draining board, plus a 4-ring hob, oven and grill for up to 5 shared occupiers.
- Provide mechanical bathroom ventilation extracting at least 15 litres/second, and separate toilet ventilation of 6 litres/second or a suitable window.
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
- bristol.gov.uk
- bristol.gov.uk
- bristol.gov.uk
- bristol.gov.uk
- bristol.gov.uk
- bristol.gov.uk
- bristol.gov.uk
- bristol.gov.uk
Compiled from the council’s own published pages and documents; data reviewed September 2026. Rules and fees change, so always confirm with Bristol City Council before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.