HMO licensing in Harborough

Harborough 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.

The published fee for a new HMO licence is £980. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.

Harborough's published fees and charges schedule lists a House in Multiple Occupation licence fee of £980.00, covering a 5-year licence. The schedule does not publish a separate, lower fee for renewals versus new applications - the same £980 figure is listed for 'House in multiple occupation for 5 Year license'.

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

• Gas appliances and flues must be safety-checked at intervals not exceeding 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer, with the certificate supplied to the council within 7 days of demand.
• Every fixed electrical installation must be inspected and tested at intervals not exceeding 5 years, with the EICR supplied to the council within 7 days of demand.
• A carbon monoxide alarm must be installed in any room used as living accommodation containing a solid fuel burning appliance.
• A smoke alarm or fire detection system must be installed and maintained in proper working order, with at least one smoke alarm on each storey containing living accommodation (a bathroom or lavatory counts as living accommodation for this purpose).
• Grade A fire alarm systems must be inspected/serviced at least every 6 months; any emergency escape lighting must be inspected, tested and serviced by a competent person.
• Upholstered furniture supplied by the landlord must meet the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended).

• The exterior of the house must be maintained in reasonable decorative order and repair; gardens, yards and curtilage areas kept clean, tidy and free from rodent infestation.
• Suitable and adequate refuse storage and collection provision must be made, including closable bins of suitable capacity as specified by the council.
• Any room in the house with a floor area below 4.64 m² must not be used as sleeping accommodation, and the council must be notified of any such room.
• Additional conditions (e.g. requiring a further sink, cooker or wash hand basin) may be imposed if the house does not currently meet the council's standards for amenities or room sizes; full detail is set out in the council's separate 'House in Multiple Occupation: Amenity and Space Guidance' document.

• Gas safety certificate (CP12) — Obtained within the last 12 months for every gas appliance and flue, from a Gas Safe registered engineer; must be supplied to the council within 7 days of demand.
• EICR — Electrical Installation Condition Report, inspected and tested at intervals not exceeding 5 years; must be supplied to the council within 7 days of demand.
• EPC — Required under the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property)(England and Wales) Regulations 2015 - properties must reach at least an EPC rating of E before letting.

• harborough.gov.uk
• harborough.gov.uk
• harborough.gov.uk

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