East of England
HMO licensing in Dacorum
Dacorum Borough Council 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 Dacorum (checked September 2026). The published licence fee starts at £1,563.
Mandatory licence
5+ people, 2+ households
National scheme
Additional / selective
None in force
Mandatory licensing only
Licence fee
From £1,563
Decision time
Not published
Licensing schemes in Dacorum
Dacorum Borough 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.
Licence fees
The published fee for a new HMO licence is £1,563. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.
Dacorum charges the HMO licence fee in two parts, covering a standard five-bedroom HMO: Part 1 (initial application, payable on submission) is £610, and Part 2 (ongoing management of the mandatory licensing scheme) is £953 for a five-year licence or £287 for a one-year licence. This gives a total of £1,563 for a standard 5-year, 5-bedroom licence (or £897 for a 1-year licence). An additional £25 is charged for each bedroom above the standard five. There is no discounted renewal fee or instalment plan published - Part 1 and Part 2 are simply paid at different stages of the same application (Part 2 is due once a notice of intent to grant is issued, after a 21-day representation period).
Check the current fee on the council website (dacorum.gov.uk) before you apply.
Minimum room sizes
| Double bedroom (2 occupants, 10+ years) | 10.22 m² minimum floor area (national HMO space standard). |
|---|---|
| Single bedroom (1 occupant, 10+ years) | 6.51 m² minimum floor area (national HMO space standard). |
| Child's bedroom (under 10 years) | 4.64 m² minimum floor area (national HMO space standard). |
| Notes | Dacorum's published application-process guidance references 'standard five rooms' for fee-banding purposes but does not itemise room dimensions on its public pages; the figures above are the national statutory minimums under the Licensing and Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO Space Standards) Order, applied by the council as the licensing baseline. |
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
- A current Automatic Fire Detection System certificate and an Emergency Lighting Inspection certificate must be submitted with the application.
- A Fire Risk Assessment for the property is a required supporting document.
- Fire safety standards are set out in the council's separate fire safety guidance document, referenced in its HMO licensing materials.
Kitchen, bathroom and amenity standards
- Standards are set out in the council's 'Amenity Standards for Houses in Multiple Occupation' guide (referenced but not itemised on the public HMO page).
- A Statement of Safety of Furniture and Fittings must be submitted with the application.
- The licence holder and manager must pass a 'fit and proper person' test under Housing Act 2004 section 66, including a DBS check dated within 3 months of the application.
Documents you will need
- Application form — Fully completed and signed.
- Passport photo — A recent passport-style picture of the applicant.
- Gas safety certificate — Current annual gas safety check.
- PAT certificate — Portable electrical appliance test certificate.
- EICR — Electrical installation safety certificate.
- Automatic fire detection system certificate — Current test certificate for the fire alarm/detection system.
- Emergency lighting inspection certificate — Where emergency lighting is installed.
- Fire risk assessment — Statement of safety covering fire risks at the property.
- EPC — Energy performance certificate.
- Property title deeds — A full copy of the deeds (title absolute).
- Floor plans — Plans of the property showing layout and room sizes.
- Tenancy agreements — For all tenants living in the property at the time of application.
- Property management agreement — If a managing agent is used.
- DBS check — Dated within the last 3 months of the application.
- Furniture safety declaration — Statement of safety of furniture and fittings.
Sources
Compiled from the council’s own published pages and documents; data reviewed September 2026. Rules and fees change, so always confirm with Dacorum Borough Council before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.