HMO licensing in Lancaster

Lancaster City 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 £730, and £630 to renew. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.

The fee is payable in two parts for a standard 5-year licence: Part 1 (Application Fee), required with the application, and Part 2 (Licence Fee), invoiced once the application is checked and ready to issue. For a new 5-person HMO licence: £150 (Part 1) + £580 (Part 2) = £730, plus £55 for each additional person above 5 (maximum licence fee £1,500). Renewal of an existing licence is £150 (Part 1) + £480 (Part 2) = £630, plus £55 per extra person. A discount of £110 per licence applies to members of a recognised accredited property scheme (e.g. the Lancaster City Council accredited scheme or Lancaster University Approved Homes Scheme) and to landlords holding more than 10 HMO licences. Additional charges apply for late/incomplete applications (+£110) and administration changes such as change of ownership (£50).

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

• A fire detection system must be installed to give early warning, following LACORS/CIEH/Chief Fire Officers' Association guidance 'Housing - Fire Safety'.
• The building must be compartmentalised with protected escape routes to allow occupants to escape before fire spreads to other parts of the house.
• Emergency lighting must be provided in case of power failure, where required by the fire risk assessment.
• HMO Standards on fire precautions apply even where a property does not require a licence.

• Heating must be provided in every habitable room and bathroom, capable of maintaining a 21°C difference against an external temperature of -1°C, controllable and accessible by occupants, and fitted with timers and thermostats.
• Where bathing/toilet facilities are not exclusive to each household: up to 4 occupants sharing needs 1 wash hand basin, 1 toilet and 1 bath/shower; 5 occupants needs 2 of each; 6-10 occupants needs 2 wash hand basins, 2 toilets (at least 1 in its own compartment) and 2 baths/showers; 11-15 occupants needs 3 of each with at least 2 toilets in their own compartments.
• Baths must be at least 1700mm x 760mm and showers at least 800mm x 800mm, both with hot water of at least 40°C and connected to appropriate drainage.
• Sharing of bedrooms by persons of the opposite sex over 12 who are not partners, or by persons not living as a couple, is not normally permitted without written agreement.

• Gas safety certificate (CP12) — Current, valid certificate for every gas appliance on the property.
• EICR — Electrical Installation Condition Report confirming the electrical installation is safe.
• Fire risk assessment — Current assessment following LACORS/CIEH/CFOA fire safety guidance.
• Floor plan — Showing room layout and dimensions, submitted with the application.
• Management details — Details of the licence holder and, where applicable, the managing agent.

• lancaster.gov.uk
• lancaster.gov.uk
• lancaster.gov.uk
• lancaster.gov.uk
• committeeadmin.lancaster.gov.uk
• legislation.gov.uk

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