HMO licensing in Broadland

Broadland District 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 £835.88, and £835.88 to renew. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.

Broadland HMO fees page (figures stated as correct for the 2026/27 financial year, reviewed each April): 5-year HMO licence for up to 5 lettings £835.88; additional fee for 6 lettings or more £38.91 per letting; renewal of an existing licence £835.88; licence changes £38.91. The fee scales with the number of lettings (rooms) above 5. The fee does not include enforcement of the licensing scheme. No accredited-landlord discount or instalment plan is published. Broadland's fee schedule is separate from South Norfolk's (which is higher: £1,098.95 new / £684.29 renewal) despite the shared website and team.

Check the current fee on the council website (southnorfolkandbroadland.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.

• Fire risk assessment required for all HMOs under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005; the council's expectations are based on the LACORS fire safety guide and advice from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service.
• Low-risk shared houses: BS 5839-6 Grade D, LD3 alarm with smoke detectors on escape route at all levels and a heat detector in the kitchen; 30-minute fire doors with heat and smoke seals to kitchen, bedrooms, living room and cellars; fire blanket in kitchen; multipurpose extinguisher not obstructing escape route.
• High-risk shared houses/bedsits: Grade D or Grade A, LD2 alarm with interlinked smoke detectors in escape routes and heat detector in kitchen; all doors (kitchen, living room, bedrooms, cellars) FD30S with overhead self-closing device; fire blankets in kitchen/rooms with cooking facilities; extinguishers in common parts on each floor.
• Grade A systems must be inspected and serviced at intervals not exceeding six months (BS 5839-1:2013); landlords must test and maintain fire alarm and emergency lighting systems to British Standards.
• Carbon monoxide alarms where fixed combustion appliances are present; gas and electrical safety certificates required (see checklist).

• Bathrooms/WCs (Table 8.3): 1-4 people 1 bathroom with toilet, bath/shower and basin; 5 people 1 bathroom plus 1 separate WC with basin; 6-10 people 2 bathrooms and 2 WCs with basins (one WC in a separate room); 11-15 people 3 bathrooms and 3 WCs. Bathrooms need mechanical extraction (15 l/s), heating to 18C, tiled splashbacks; separate WC compartment min 1300 x 900 mm.
• Kitchens: 7 m² minimum for 3-5 residents, 10 m² for 6-10, width at least 1.8 m; kitchens not more than one floor from bedrooms and available 24 hours. A complete set = sink with drainer, 4-ring cooker with oven and grill, 3 double sockets, 1000 x 600 mm worktop, food cupboard per occupant, 130 L fridge plus 60 L freezer, mechanical ventilation.
• Kitchen provision by occupants: 3-5 one full set; 6-7 two sets and 1500 x 600 mm worktop (combination microwave/dishwasher accepted as second cooker/sink); 8-10 two sets and 2000 x 600 mm worktop; 11-15 at least two kitchens with three sets.
• Shared living space: 3-5 people 11 m² living room (or 18 m² combined kitchen/living); 6-10 people 14 m² (or 24 m² combined kitchen/living); 3+ storey HMOs have alternative kitchen/diner combinations (Table 5.1).
• Heating: fixed heating maintaining 21C in living rooms and 18C in bathrooms at -1C outside, with occupant controls (thermostatic radiator valves or fixed electric appliance).
• Refuse: licence holders must provide adequate refuse storage and comply with the council's collection arrangements (alternate weekly collection).

• Completed HMO licence application form — Downloaded from the Broadland HMO page and returned to the council with the fee (bank transfer or cheque, fee calculated from the application page).
• Gas safety certificate — If relevant (gas supply/appliances).
• Electrical safety certificate — Current electrical safety certificate/EICR.
• Fire safety equipment service records — If relevant to the property.
• Fire alarm test certificate — If relevant to the property.
• Energy performance certificate (EPC) — Valid EPC for the property.
• Declaration of notifications — Declaration confirming that the manager, owners, long-term tenants or leaseholders, any other person bound by licence conditions, and mortgage providers have been notified of the application.

• southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk
• southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk
• southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk
• southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk
• southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk

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