HMO licensing in Chorley

Chorley 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 £846, and £846 to renew. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.

2025/26 Housing Act 2004 HMO licence fees: for up to 5 occupants, a five-year licence costs £484 (application) plus £362 (grant), totalling £846. For more than 5 occupants, add £60 to each of the application and grant fee per additional occupant above 5. A separate variation-to-a-licence fee of £122 applies. The published schedule does not distinguish a lower renewal fee or offer instalments; the same application-plus-grant total applies to renewals.

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

• A written fire risk assessment, carried out by a competent person, is mandatory for all licensed HMOs as a condition of the licence.
• Fire-fighting equipment and fire alarms must be maintained in good working order, per the Management of HMOs (England) Regulations 2006, Schedule 3.
• Furniture and furnishings supplied must meet the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988, evidenced by a permanent compliance label.
• Higher-risk layouts (e.g. 'inner rooms' requiring occupants to pass through a lounge or kitchen to escape) require additional precautions agreed with the council, referencing the LACORS Fire Safety Guide and relevant British Standards (BS 5266, BS 5839).

• Bathroom/WC provision: under 5 occupants needs 1 full bathroom; 5 occupants needs 1 full bathroom plus a separate WC with WHB; 6-9 occupants needs 2 full bathrooms; 10 occupants needs 2 full bathrooms plus 2 separate WCs; 11-14 occupants needs 3 full bathrooms.
• Kitchens sharing up to 10 occupants require a minimum area of 7.6 m² plus 1.4 m² per person, or a combined kitchen/communal space of at least 13.2 m² plus 3.3 m² per person.
• Communal living space (where provided separately from the kitchen) must be at least 5.6 m² plus 1.4 m² per person, for a maximum of 10 occupants sharing a single space.

• HMO Licence Application form — Chorley's own application form, submitted with the fee to contact@chorley.gov.uk.
• Gas safety certificate (CP12) — Current certificate for all gas appliances, renewed annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
• EICR — Electrical Installation Condition Report for the property, dated within the last five years.
• EPC — Valid Energy Performance Certificate for the property.
• Fire risk assessment — Written fire risk assessment carried out by a competent person, required as a licence condition.

• chorley.gov.uk
• chorley.gov.uk
• chorley.gov.uk
• chorley.gov.uk
• democracy.chorley.gov.uk

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