HMO licensing in Broxbourne

Borough of Broxbourne 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 £1,820, and £1,820 to renew. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.

The council's Fees page states the fee for a new or renewed HMO licence is £1,820 per property plus £159 for each bedroom over 5 bedrooms. It is paid in two equal instalments: £910 on submission of Part Three of the online application, and a second £910 (plus any additional-bedroom fee) when officers have completed and approved the first series of reviews. New and renewal applications carry the same fee. Licences are usually valid for 5 years and may be granted for shorter periods where there are management concerns or avoidable delays in making an effective application. The fee is flat for up to 5 bedrooms and scales at £159 per bedroom above 5. Part One of the application asks for 'HMO accreditation' details but the council publishes no accredited-landlord discount, so none is recorded. Fee figures are as shown on the council's website in September 2026 (some third-party sites still quote an older £875 x 2 + £153 structure; the council's own pages show £910 x 2 + £159).

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

• Adequate protected means of escape from fire, with fire detection and warning system, fire exit signs and emergency lighting (where routes are complex/long) to the satisfaction of the inspecting officer.
• Self-closing FD30S fire doors (30 minutes fire and smoke protection, gaps no more than 3 mm, with combined cold smoke seals and intumescent strips) to all bedrooms, kitchens and living rooms.
• Bedroom doors and final exit doors must have locks openable from the inside without a key (thumb-turn or Yale type).
• Fire blanket to British Standard in the kitchen, wall-mounted at 1.5 m adjacent to an exit door; fire extinguishers not recommended, but if provided must be serviced annually and tenants trained.
• Glazing panels above doors or in walls on the escape route upgraded to at least 30 minutes fire resistance.
• Two-storey HMO: interlinked hard-wired smoke detectors in every bedroom, escape route and communal living rooms, heat detector in the kitchen, to BS 5839-6 Grade D1 LD2 (or equivalent) with installer certificate.
• Three-storey HMO: as above but with a control panel and battery back-up to BS 5839-6 Grade A LD2 (or equivalent) with installer certificate.
• Emergency lighting to the protected escape route to BS 5266, with certificate; fire alarm supply must not be on a pre-payment/coin meter.
• Fire alarm system checked annually by a qualified person and tested monthly with records; a fire risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 must be recorded and reviewed annually or at change of tenancy.
• Carbon monoxide detector in any bedroom or living room containing a combustion appliance, and in any room with a solid-fuel appliance.

• Shared bathrooms: up to 5 persons = 1 bathroom with wash hand basin and bath or shower; up to 10 persons = 2 bathrooms; an additional bathroom for each additional 5 persons (10+).
• Shared toilets: 1-4 persons 1 toilet (may be in bathroom); 5 persons 1 toilet separate from the bathroom; 6-8 persons 2 toilets; larger numbers require 2-3 toilets with at least one separate from any bathroom. A toilet compartment without a wash hand basin (hot and cold) is not counted.
• Wash hand basin (approx. 550 x 400 mm) with 300 mm splashback in each shared bath/shower room serving up to 5 occupiers; where reasonably practicable a wash hand basin in each unit without a sink.
• Shared kitchens: a full set of facilities for every 5 occupants (one 4-ring cooker with standard oven and grill, one sink (min 500 x 600 mm) with drainer, fridge-freezer). For 6 occupiers a dishwasher or second sink is required in addition; for 7-10 persons two cookers, two sinks, two fridge-freezers (or 2 fridges and 2 freezers) and a combination microwave.
• Kitchen worktop 600 mm deep x 500 mm long per person; one 400 x 400 mm cupboard/base unit per person (space under sink not counted); six power outlets above worktops per five occupiers plus one per major appliance; mechanical extract ventilation to Part F.
• Self-contained units without shared facilities need a 4-ring hob, 28-litre oven and grill, sink and drainer, worktop, 4 sockets above the worktop, and an exclusive bath/shower room and WC within one floor of the unit.
• Heating: fixed heating in every bedroom, lounge and hallway capable of the council's design temperatures (living room 21C, bedrooms 18C, kitchen 18C, bathroom 22C at -1C outside); portable paraffin, LPG and electric fan heaters unacceptable.
• Mechanical extract ventilation to all bathrooms and WCs; natural light to habitable rooms of at least 10% of floor area and openable window area of at least 5% of floor area.

• Licence holder and manager details — Information about all proposed licence holders, or the property manager if one is used, including any changes in circumstances (Part One of the online application).
• HMO accreditation — Details of any HMO accreditation held (requested in Part One; the council publishes no fee discount for it).
• Detailed layout plans — Detailed plans of the property showing the layout, required in Part Two of the application.
• Standard of accommodation and tenancy agreement — Information on the standard of accommodation and a copy of the tenancy agreement.
• Energy Performance Certificate — Proof of the EPC and energy efficiency rating; the council's guidance notes properties rated F or below must not be let unless improved or exempt.
• Gas safety certificate — Annual gas safety certificate (gas and electrical performance and certification is required at application; guidance requires annual checks).
• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) — Valid EICR, at least every 5 years, with Code 1/2 faults remedied; annual PAT certificate is also expected per council guidance.
• Fire safety certificates — Proof of all fire certificates and fire precaution procedures: fire alarm installation/test certificate, emergency lighting certificate (BS 5266), and fire risk assessment.
• Planning consent or building accreditation — Evidence of planning consent (large HMOs of 7 or more occupants need planning permission; Broxbourne has no Article 4 direction for smaller HMOs) or building regulation approval where works were carried out.
• HMO management arrangements — Information on how the HMO will be managed under the 2006 Management Regulations (monthly inspections with written records, repairs policy).
• Fit and proper person declaration — Fit and proper person test and further details about the licence holder, any other managed properties and accreditations (Part Three), with payment of the first £910 instalment.

• broxbourne.gov.uk
• broxbourne.gov.uk
• broxbourne.gov.uk
• broxbourne.gov.uk
• broxbourne.gov.uk

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