Yorkshire and the Humber
HMO licensing in Leeds
Leeds City Council requires a mandatory licence for HMOs occupied by 5 or more people from 2 or more households. It also runs selective licensing in designated areas, covering privately rented homes that are not licensable HMOs. The published licence fee starts at £975.
Mandatory licence
5+ people, 2+ households
National scheme
Additional / selective
Selective
Council-designated schemes
Licence fee
From £975
Decision time
Not published
Licensing schemes in Leeds
A selective licensing scheme covers all privately rented homes (single lets as well as HMOs unless already licensed as an HMO) in parts of the Armley, Beeston and Holbeck, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill, Farnley and Wortley, Gipton and Harehills, and Hunslet and Riverside wards ('East, South and West Leeds'). It came into force on 9 February 2026 and ceases on 8 February 2031.
- In force from
- 9 February 2026
- Scheme ends
- 8 February 2031
Verified 24 September 2026
Licence fees
The published fee for a new HMO licence is £975. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.
HMO licence (mandatory: 5+ people, not one household, shared amenities), 'Licence fee for all properties': first stage £635 + second stage £340 = £975. Leeds Rental Standard members get £150 off the second part (£635 + £190 = £825). Licences usually last 5 years. Flat fee for all properties, not per room.
Fee source: leeds.gov.uk (checked 2 October 2026). Fees change during the year, so check the council before you apply.
Additional and selective licence fees
Fees for council-designated schemes are set separately from the mandatory HMO fee. Figures are the standard full-rate fee for a new licence, before any discounts.
Selective licence
£1,100
Selective licence for one property or unit of accommodation, online application (5-year licence), paid in two parts for applications from 26 February 2026 (£400 on application + £700 if the application is successful). Paper applications cost £1,225.
£150 discount per licence for Leeds Rental Standard members who own the property and are the licence holder (total £950). No reduction for multiple properties.
Scheme: From 9 February 2026 to 8 February 2031
Checked 2 October 2026 against leeds.gov.uk
Documents you will need
- Gas safety certificate (CP12) — Within the last 12 months for every gas appliance on the property.
- EICR — Electrical Installation Condition Report, dated within the last five years.
- EPC — Valid Energy Performance Certificate for the property.
- Floor plan with room dimensions — To scale, showing every room and its floor area against the HMO minimums.
- Fire risk assessment — Current assessment of the property's means of escape, alarms and compartmentation.
Sources
Compiled from the council’s own published pages and documents; data reviewed September 2026. Rules and fees change, so always confirm with Leeds City Council before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.