HMO licensing in Eastleigh

Eastleigh 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.

The published fee for a new HMO licence is £1,450. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.

Published housing fees and charges, effective from 1 October 2025: HMO licensing for up to 5 occupants costs £1,450 total (inc. VAT), split into two payments of £725 (on application, and on the decision to grant the licence). For HMOs with more than 5 occupants, an additional £37.50 per extra occupant is added, up to a maximum total fee of £1,600. The published schedule does not separately state a renewal fee (renewals appear to use the same fee schedule) and does not mention an accredited-landlord discount. Licence length (up to 5 years) does not affect the fee level.

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

• FD30s fire doors (self-closing, cold smoke seals, intumescent strips) required to all bedrooms, kitchen(s), and any other risk rooms identified by the fire risk assessment.
• Keyless exits (thumb-turn locks) required on all escape routes; a fire blanket should be located in the kitchen in an accessible position; emergency lighting required on escape routes with insufficient borrowed light.
• 1-2 storey properties require a Grade D, LD2 automatic fire detection system (mains-wired with battery back-up): smoke detectors in all escape-route circulation spaces, all bedrooms and any other high-risk rooms, plus heat detectors in the kitchen(s).
• 3+ storey properties require a Grade A, LD2 system: electrically operated smoke and/or heat detectors linked to a control panel conforming to BS 5839 Part 4 (or equivalent).

• Shared kitchens scale by household count: 1-5 households = 7 sq m kitchen, 1 oven+grill+4 hobs, 1 sink, 4 worktop sockets, 2.5m usable worktop, 100L fridge/65L freezer; 6-7 households = 8 sq m, 1 oven+grill+hob+microwave, 1.5 sinks, 5 sockets, 3.5m worktop, 150L/100L; 8-10 households = 10 sq m, 2 ovens+2 grills+2 hobs+microwave, 1.5-2 sinks (dishwasher option), 6 sockets, 4.5m worktop, 250L/150L; 11-13 households = 12 sq m, 2 ovens+2 grills+2 hobs+2 microwaves, up to 2 dishwashers, 8 sockets, 7m worktop, 400L/300L. A completely separate second kitchen is required at 14+ households. Extraction rate minimum 85 m3/hr (plus additional provision per hob at higher occupancies). Food storage: a cupboard 500mm high x 400mm wide per household.
• Shared washrooms scale by person count: 1-5 persons = 1 bathroom (WC, basin, bath/shower); 6-7 persons = 2 bathrooms (each with WC, basin, bath/shower); 8-10 persons = 2 bathrooms plus 1 separate WC; 11-13 persons = 3 bathrooms plus 1 separate WC; 14-15 persons = 3 bathrooms plus 2 separate WCs. Facilities for 15+ persons are determined case-by-case by the licensing officer.
• A wash hand basin should be provided in each letting room where reasonably practicable; heating in each room must be occupant-controllable; adequate ventilation required per room.

• Gas Safety Certificate — Current annual certificate from a Gas Safe registered engineer for all gas appliances; must be produced within 7 days of a Council request.
• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) — Electrical survey/inspection report in accordance with current IEE Wiring Regulations; must be no older than the council's specified validity period.
• Carbon monoxide alarm evidence — Required where there is a solid fuel-burning appliance (e.g. log burner, open fireplace).
• Evidence of landlord/manager competence — E.g. certificate of attendance at a relevant landlord training course, to support the 'fit and proper person' assessment.
• Signed tenancy agreement — Current, signed tenancy agreement for the property, free of unfair terms.
• Inventory declaration — Declaration that inventories are used, plus a copy of a current signed inventory.
• Repairs and complaints procedures — Details of the agreement in place for repairs, and a declaration of how tenant/neighbour complaints are handled.
• Planned inspection programme — Evidence of a planned programme of site visits/inspections for the property.

• eastleigh.gov.uk
• eastleigh.gov.uk
• eastleigh.gov.uk

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