East Midlands
HMO licensing in Leicester
Leicester 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 £900.
Mandatory licence
5+ people, 2+ households
National scheme
Additional / selective
Selective
Council-designated schemes
Licence fee
From £900
Decision time
Not published
Licensing schemes in Leicester
A selective licensing scheme covers all privately rented homes, including small HMOs of up to four sharers, in parts of Stoneygate (East cluster); Westcotes, Fosse, Braunstone Park & Rowley Fields (West cluster); and Saffron (South cluster). It came into force on 10 October 2022 and ceases on 9 October 2027; the council says the scheme will be reviewed in October 2027 and no renewal consultation has been announced yet.
- In force from
- 10 October 2022
- Scheme ends
- 9 October 2027
Verified 24 September 2026
Licence fees
The published fee for a new HMO licence is £900. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.
Mandatory HMO licence (5 or more tenants, more than one household, shared amenities): the council’s published licence fee is £900.
Fee source: leicester.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
£1,290
Selective licence for a single privately rented dwelling in the designated area, full rate, paid in two parts (Part A £1,032 on application + Part B £258 when the licence is issued)
Early-application discounts ended in April 2024. A discount may be available if you apply within six months of acquiring a property you intend to rent; contact the Selective Licensing Team to discuss eligibility (amount not published).
Scheme: From 10 October 2022 to 9 October 2027
Checked 2 October 2026 against leicester.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 Leicester City Council before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.