East of England
HMO licensing in Fenland
Fenland 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 Fenland (checked September 2026). The published licence fee starts at £750 (£660 to renew).
Mandatory licence
5+ people, 2+ households
National scheme
Additional / selective
None in force
Mandatory licensing only
Licence fee
From £750
Renewal £660
Decision time
Not published
Licensing schemes in Fenland
Fenland 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 £750, and £660 to renew. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.
Fenland charges a flat fee of £750 for a new 5-year HMO licence application, and £660 for a renewal. No per-bedroom formula, instalment plan or upfront-payment discount is advertised on the council's page.
Check the current fee on the council website (fenland.gov.uk) before you apply.
Minimum room sizes
| Single bedroom (1 person over 10 years) | 6.51 m² minimum sleeping room size (council's published mandatory HMO licence conditions, matching the national HMO Space Standards Order). |
|---|---|
| Double bedroom (2 persons over 10 years) | 10.22 m² minimum sleeping room size. |
| Child's bedroom (1 child under 10 years) | 4.64 m² minimum sleeping room size. |
| Notes | Where an existing HMO does not meet these minimum room standards at the point of licence application, the council has a duty to allow the landlord a transitional period to comply. |
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 valid Fire Alarm test certificate (e.g. within the last 12 months) must be submitted with the application.
- A Fire Risk Assessment for the property is required as part of the mandatory HMO licence conditions.
Kitchen, bathroom and amenity standards
- New regulations introduced by the council impose minimum room sizes (see above) and waste disposal provision requirements as conditions of the licence.
- Properties with 7 or more occupants require planning permission, in addition to the HMO licence.
Documents you will need
- Gas Safe certificate — Valid certificate (e.g. within the last 12 months) if the property has gas appliances.
- EICR — A full and valid Electrical Installation Condition Report.
- Fire Alarm test certificate — Valid certificate, e.g. within the last 12 months.
- Tenancy agreements — For each separate tenant in the HMO - required for new applications only.
- Floor plan — Showing the property layout including room sizes.
Sources
Compiled from the council’s own published pages and documents; data reviewed September 2026. Rules and fees change, so always confirm with Fenland District Council before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.