London
HMO licensing in City of London
City of London Corporation requires a mandatory licence for HMOs occupied by 5 or more people from 2 or more households. No additional or selective licensing scheme is currently in force in City of London (checked September 2026). The published licence fee starts at £1,050.
Mandatory licence
5+ people, 2+ households
National scheme
Additional / selective
None in force
Mandatory licensing only
Licence fee
From £1,050
Decision time
Not published
Licensing schemes in City of London
City of London Corporation 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.
Licence fees
The published fee for a new HMO licence is £1,050. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.
The fee is split into an initial application fee of £600, plus a fee on grant of licence that scales with the number of lettings: up to 5 lettings £450 (total £1,050); 6-9 lettings £600 (total £1,200); 10-14 lettings £750 (total £1,350); 15-19 lettings £900 (total £1,500); 20+ lettings £1,050 (total £1,650). No renewal figure, discount scheme or licence term length was published on the council's page, so these are left blank rather than guessed.
Check the current fee on the council website (cityoflondon.gov.uk) before you apply.
Minimum room sizes
| Bedsit, single occupant, kitchen in separate room | 8.5 m² minimum (City of London Guidance on HMO Standards). |
|---|---|
| Bedsit, single occupant, kitchen in the room | 13 m² minimum. |
| Bedsit, two occupants, kitchen in separate room | 13 m² minimum. |
| Bedsit, two occupants, kitchen in the room | 18 m² minimum. |
| Shared house, single occupant (with suitable shared dining/living space) | 6.5 m² minimum. |
| Shared house, two occupants (with suitable shared dining/living space) | 10.2 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
- All HMOs must have a Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 risk assessment; fire-fighting equipment and fire alarms must be maintained in good working order per the Management of HMOs Regulations 2006.
- Fire safety standards are applied in accordance with the LACORS Housing Fire Safety Guidance; necessary measures may include fire doors on high-risk rooms, fire separation, a kitchen fire blanket and automatic fire detection.
- Electrical installations must be inspected and tested at intervals not exceeding 5 years by a qualified person, with evidence supplied to the Corporation on request.
- Annual gas safety tests must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer on all gas appliances, with evidence supplied annually to the Corporation.
- An adequate means of fixed space heating (radiators with thermostatic valves) must maintain at least 19°C in all rooms, common areas, WC compartments and bathrooms.
Kitchen, bathroom and amenity standards
- Kitchen minimum sizes scale with occupants sharing: up to 3 persons 5.5 m², 4-5 persons 7.5 m², 6-7 persons 9.5 m², 8-10 persons 11.5 m²; one full set of cooking facilities is required per 5 persons sharing.
- Bathroom/WC provision: up to 5 persons need 1 bath with wash hand basin plus at least 1 WC; 6-10 persons need 2 bathrooms (one bath, one shower) and at least 2 WCs; more than 10 persons need an additional set per extra 1-5 persons, with at least 50% of WCs in separate compartments.
- Kitchen facilities should be no more than one floor from the letting they serve, or a suitable dining area must be provided close to the kitchen instead.
- A kitchen must not be installed in a hallway, and a bedroom must not be accessed via a kitchen unless an alternative fire escape route is provided.
Documents you will need
- Gas safety certificate (CP12) — Annual check by a Gas Safe registered engineer for all gas appliances within the HMO.
- Electrical Installation Condition Report — Inspected and tested at intervals not exceeding 5 years by a qualified person.
- EPC — Energy Performance Certificate to be displayed for new tenancies.
- HMO licence application form — Completed and returned per the Corporation's guidance; properties must meet the City of London's minimum HMO standards.
Sources
Compiled from the council’s own published pages and documents; data reviewed September 2026. Rules and fees change, so always confirm with City of London Corporation before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.