East of England
HMO licensing in East Cambridgeshire
East Cambridgeshire District 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 East Cambridgeshire (checked September 2026). The published licence fee starts at £397 (£147 to renew).
Mandatory licence
5+ people, 2+ households
National scheme
Additional / selective
None in force
Mandatory licensing only
Licence fee
From £397
Renewal £147
Decision time
Not published
Licensing schemes in East Cambridgeshire
East Cambridgeshire District 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 £397, and £147 to renew. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.
East Cambridgeshire charges a flat fee based on occupant numbers rather than a per-bedroom formula. For an HMO with fewer than 7 occupiers, a new application costs £397 and a renewal costs £147. For an HMO with 7 or more occupiers, a new application costs £463 and a renewal costs £169. Figures are taken from the council's own HMO licence application form (published January 2025). No instalment option or upfront-payment discount is advertised.
Fee source: eastcambs.gov.uk. Fees change during the year, so check the council before you apply.
Minimum room sizes
| Single bedroom (1 occupant, 10+ years) | 6.51 sqm minimum floor area; a room below this size cannot be used for occupation (council's HMO licensing information page, matching the national HMO Space Standards Order). |
|---|---|
| Double bedroom (2 occupants, 10+ years) | 10.22 sqm minimum floor area (national HMO Space Standards Order, applied by the council). |
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
- Adequate escape routes in case of fire must be provided.
- Appropriate fire detection and alarm systems must be installed.
- Annual gas safety checks are required for all gas appliances.
- Electrical installations must be checked and certified every 5 years.
Kitchen, bathroom and amenity standards
- Adequate toilet and bathing facilities must be provided for the number of occupants.
- Adequate food storage, preparation and cooking facilities must be provided.
- Communal areas and shared facilities must be kept clean and properly maintained.
Documents you will need
- Location plan — Showing the property's location.
- Sketch floor plan — Scale not less than 1:100, showing fire doors, protected routes, firefighting equipment, emergency lighting, kitchens and bathrooms, with dimensions of every room.
- Gas safety certificate — Most recent periodic inspection and test certificate.
- EICR — Electrical installation certificate.
- PAT certificate — Portable appliance testing certificate.
- Fire safety equipment/alarm certificate — Most recent periodic inspection and test certificate.
- Emergency lighting certificate — Where emergency lighting is installed.
- Building Control completion certificate — Required if the accommodation is within a converted house.
- Notification to interested parties — Evidence that mortgagees, freeholders, long leaseholders and the proposed licence holder/manager have been notified of the application.
Sources
Compiled from the council’s own published pages and documents; data reviewed September 2026. Rules and fees change, so always confirm with East Cambridgeshire District Council before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.