HMO licensing in Ipswich

Ipswich 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.

Ipswich Borough Council does not publish a single figure we could confirm. Fees are set by the council and reviewed each year, so check its fees page.

The fee is £155 per unit of accommodation (a room used or intended for use as sleeping accommodation, including a bedroom or a living/dining room that could be used as one), split into two parts since 1 October 2020: Part 1 (£82 per unit) is payable when the application is submitted; Part 2 (£73 per unit) is payable within 14 days of the council issuing its notice of intention to grant the licence. Both parts must be paid for the application to be duly made; if Part 2 is not paid within 14 days, the application lapses and a fresh Part 1 fee is required to reapply. Part 2 is waived if the council proposes to refuse the licence. The council's published guidance does not state a separate discounted renewal fee or instalment plan beyond this two-part structure.

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

• Shared house, no more than 2 storeys: mains-wired interlinked optical smoke detectors/alarms in common areas and basement/cellar, heat detector in the kitchen (BS 5839-6 Grade D, LD3); 30-minute fire separation between basement/cellar and ground floor; close-fitting doors; fire blanket and dry powder extinguisher in the kitchen.
• Shared house, 3-4 storeys: as above plus 30-minute fire-resisting doors to all habitable rooms and the kitchen, and 30-minute fire-resisting structure to walls/ceilings separating habitable rooms.
• Bedsit property, no more than 2 storeys: interlinked smoke detectors/alarms in common parts, basement/cellar and all habitable rooms (BS 5839-6 Grade D, LD2); 30-minute fire-resisting structure; FD30S fire doors with intumescent strips, cold smoke seals and self-closers (BS EN 1154); emergency lighting (BS 5266-1) and fire escape signage (BS 5499) where the escape route is long/complex; fire blanket, dry powder extinguisher and a 9-litre water extinguisher per floor.
• Bedsit property, 3-4 storeys: as the 2-storey bedsit standard but with Grade A, LD2 detection and emergency lighting required throughout (not just where escape routes are long/complex).
• Purpose-built flats or buildings converted to flats that demonstrate compliance with 1991 (or later) Building Regulations are generally considered sufficient without these additional measures, subject to council discretion.
• Fire alarm systems must be maintained in working order, with weekly call-point tests and six-monthly/annual servicing by a competent person.
• Emergency lighting (where fitted) requires monthly, six-monthly and three-yearly tests.
• Fire extinguishers must be serviced annually by a competent (e.g. BAFE/FIA-registered) engineer, with monthly in-house checks.
• Fire doors must be self-closing and self-latching, regularly checked for damage; the final exit door must not require a key to open.
• Furniture supplied must comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (cigarette and match resistant).

• 1-5 persons: at least 1 kitchen (max 1 floor from the furthest bedroom, or an additional kitchen/dining room required), at least 1 bathroom and 1 WC (separate if there are 5 occupants).
• 6-10 persons: at least 2 kitchens (or 1 large kitchen/diner with 2 sets of facilities), 2 bathrooms and 2 separate WCs with wash-hand basins (one WC may be within a bathroom).
• 11+ persons: at least 2 kitchens, 3 bathrooms and 3 separate WCs with wash-hand basins (two WCs may be within bathrooms).
• Kitchen minimum floor area: 7 m² for 1-5 persons, 10 m² for 6-10 persons.
• Each kitchen for up to 5 persons requires: a cooker with 4 rings, oven and grill; a sink with hot/cold water, base unit and drainer; food storage cupboards (1 single unit per person or 1 double unit per 2 persons, min 300x1000x900mm); worktop space (1000x600mm per 3 persons or 2000x600mm per 5 persons); fridge space (1 standard fridge per 3 persons or 1 large fridge per 5 persons, each with a separate shelf per person); a dedicated socket per fixed appliance and 2 undedicated sockets above worktop; a separate cooker control panel for electric cookers.
• Gas appliances must be safety-checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer (Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998); records kept 2 years; evidence given to tenants within 28 days of inspection.
• Electrical installation must be inspected at least every 5 years by a competent person (ECA/ELECSA/NICEIC/NAPIT); portable appliances PAT tested at least annually.
• Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006 duties apply: display of manager's name/address/phone in the property, safe means of escape, proper refuse storage arrangements, and communal areas maintained in good repair.

• Gas safety record — Annual check by a Gas Safe registered engineer, where gas appliances are present.
• EICR — Electrical Installation Condition Report, inspected at least every 5 years.
• PAT testing certificate — Annual portable appliance test for landlord-supplied electrical items.
• Floor plan — Showing room uses and, where relevant, room dimensions.
• Fire risk assessment / fire precautions evidence — Evidence of compliance with the council's fire safety guidance for the property type (shared house or bedsit) and number of storeys.
• Accredited landlord certificate — If registered with the UoS (University of Suffolk) Student Accreditation Scheme, where applicable.

• ipswich.gov.uk
• ipswich.gov.uk
• ipswich.gov.uk
• ipswich.gov.uk

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