East Midlands
HMO licensing in Charnwood
Charnwood Borough 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 £700 (£615 to renew).
Mandatory licence
5+ people, 2+ households
National scheme
Additional / selective
Additional + Selective
Council-designated schemes
Licence fee
From £700
Renewal £615
Decision time
Not published
Licensing schemes in Charnwood
Borough-wide additional HMO licensing (HMOs with 3 or more occupants, plus certain converted flats) has been in force since 1 April 2023 and ends on 31 March 2028. A selective licensing scheme for all private rentals in the former Hastings and Lemyngton wards in Loughborough runs over the same dates (1 April 2023 to 31 March 2028). No renewal consultation has been announced yet.
- In force from
- 1 April 2023
- Scheme ends
- 31 March 2028
Verified 24 September 2026
Licence fees
The published fee for a new HMO licence is £700, and £615 to renew. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.
Two-stage fee: Stage 1 (£395) is payable at application and covers processing up to the decision to grant; Stage 2 (£305, standard) is payable when the licence is granted and covers compliance checks and inspections. Re-licensing before expiry, or DASH Services accreditation, reduces Stage 2 to £220 (total £615). A £10-per-bedroom supplement applies to mandatory HMO licences with more than 6 bedrooms. There is no option to pay by instalments beyond the two stages. Licences run for up to 5 years, though a shorter period may be set.
Check the current fee on the council website (charnwood.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
£700
Standard additional HMO licence (HMO occupied by 3 or 4 persons, borough-wide), basic licence application at the full rate, paid in two stages (£395 on application + £305 when the council decides to grant). Charnwood publishes one standard fee for its HMO and selective schemes and does not scale it by occupancy for additional licences.
£85 off the second stage (total £615) if the licence holder is a DASH Services accredited member and the property is registered with that scheme. The council's re-licensing discount (£220 second stage, total £615) and the £10-per-bedroom supplement for more than 6 bedrooms currently apply to mandatory HMO licences only.
Scheme: From 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2028
Checked 5 October 2026 against charnwood.gov.uk
Selective licence
£700
Standard selective licence for one privately rented property in the Hastings and Lemyngton wards of Loughborough, full rate, paid in two stages (£395 on application + £305 when the licence is granted). No instalment option.
£85 off the second stage (total £615) if the licence holder is a DASH Services accredited member and the property is registered with that scheme.
Scheme: From 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2028
Checked 5 October 2026 against charnwood.gov.uk
Minimum room sizes
| Single bedroom (with living/dining space elsewhere, no cooking facilities) | 6.51 m² minimum. |
|---|---|
| Single bedroom (no separate living/dining space, no cooking facilities) | 10 m² minimum. |
| Single bedsit (with cooking facilities in the room) | 14 m² minimum. |
| Double bedroom (with living/dining space elsewhere, no cooking facilities) | 12 m² minimum. |
| Double bedroom (no separate living/dining space, no cooking facilities) | 15 m² minimum. |
| Double bedsit (with cooking facilities in the room) | 18 m² minimum. |
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
- Mandatory licence conditions cover gas safety, electrical safety, smoke alarms and other fire precautions.
- Every licensed property receives a Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) inspection; remedial works can be required if deficiencies are found.
Kitchen, bathroom and amenity standards
- A separate published Amenity Standards guide sets kitchen and bathroom provision requirements proportionate to occupancy.
Documents you will need
- Names and contact details of all interested parties — Including the licence holder's date of birth.
- Room descriptions with locations and measurements — Submitted as part of the application.
- EICR — The most recent electrical installation inspection and test report.
- Gas safety certificate — The most recent gas safety certificate, if applicable.
- Floor plan — A sketch with measurements is acceptable.
Sources
Compiled from the council’s own published pages and documents; data reviewed September 2026. Rules and fees change, so always confirm with Charnwood Borough Council before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.