HMO licensing in Canterbury

Canterbury City 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 £1,498.97. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.

Published fee for the HMO licence: £1,498.97 for a property let to up to 5 people, plus £86.64 for each additional person above 5. No renewal-specific fee, accredited-landlord discount or instalment option is published on the council's application page; the same fee schedule appears to apply to new applications and renewals. Verify current figures directly with the council before quoting to a client, as fee schedules are typically reviewed annually.

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

• Written fire risk assessment required, to be reviewed and updated regularly, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 — the council provides a fire risk assessment template.
• Fire detection and alarm system to BS 5839 Part 6, grade LD2 Type D1 (tamperproof battery back-up) or D2 (replaceable battery back-up).
• Mains-operated, interlinked smoke detectors required in entrance hall, hallways, living areas and landings; an interlinked fixed-temperature heat detector required in the kitchen.
• Sound, close-fitting doors (traditional construction) or fire doors required on all doors opening onto the main escape route.

• Kitchen: hob with 4 hotplates plus oven and grill; sink with drainer and hot/cold water; a fridge-freezer at least 550mm wide x 1500mm tall (or separate undercounter fridge and freezer); food storage of at least a 500mm-width base cupboard (or equivalent wall cupboard) per person.
• Bathroom: at least one standard-size bath or shower, one toilet, and a hand basin with hot and cold water; council guidance is based on Chartered Institute of Environmental Health national guidance, which applies for up to 5 people sharing a typical house — extra facilities are needed for 6+ sharers.
• Bedrooms require at least 4 double power outlets (or 3 if fitted with USB ports); shared living areas require at least 3 double power outlets.

• Floor plan — A line drawing/floor plan including room dimensions.
• Gas Safety Certificate — Current Gas Safe certificate, if the property has a gas supply.
• EICR — Electrical Installation Condition Report, refreshed at least every 5 years (or at the start of each new tenancy if sooner).
• PAT certificate — Portable Appliance Test certificate for landlord-supplied electrical appliances.
• EPC — Valid Energy Performance Certificate for the property.
• Fire risk assessment — Written and current fire risk assessment; the council provides a template document.
• Fire/smoke alarm maintenance certificate — If an alarm system is fitted.
• Tenancy agreement — Copy of a current tenancy agreement for the property.

• canterbury.gov.uk
• canterbury.gov.uk
• canterbury.gov.uk
• canterbury.gov.uk

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