East Midlands
HMO licensing in Newark and Sherwood
Newark and Sherwood District Council requires a mandatory licence for HMOs occupied by 5 or more people from 2 or more households. No additional or selective licensing scheme is currently in force in Newark and Sherwood (checked September 2026). The published licence fee starts at £790.
Mandatory licence
5+ people, 2+ households
National scheme
Additional / selective
None in force
Mandatory licensing only
Licence fee
From £790
Decision time
About 13 weeks
The council's stated aim
Licensing schemes in Newark and Sherwood
Newark and Sherwood 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.
Licence fees
The published fee for a new HMO licence is £790. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.
Newark and Sherwood charges £790 for a single HMO licence application. A reduced fee of £600 per property applies where a landlord submits multiple HMO applications together. A variation of an existing licence costs £60. The council's published fee schedule does not state a separate, lower fee specifically for renewals versus new applications. The licence can last up to 5 years.
Check the current fee on the council website (newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk) before you apply.
Minimum room sizes
| Single bedroom (person aged 10+) | 6.51 m² minimum floor area (national mandatory HMO licence condition). |
|---|---|
| Double bedroom (two persons aged 10+) | 10.22 m² minimum floor area (national mandatory HMO licence condition). |
| Child's bedroom (under 10) | 4.64 m² minimum floor area (national mandatory HMO licence condition). |
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.
Fire safety requirements
- Landlords must provide an adequate fire detection system, fire separation and emergency lighting provisions.
- The council's assessment verifies adequate means of escape in case of fire as part of the licence application.
Kitchen, bathroom and amenity standards
- The council's assessment confirms the property meets required standards regarding facilities and amenities before a licence is granted.
Documents you will need
- Gas safety certificate (CP12) — Required under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, a standard national HMO licence requirement.
- EICR — Required at least every 5 years under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.
- EPC — Required under the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015.
Sources
Compiled from the council’s own published pages and documents; data reviewed September 2026. Rules and fees change, so always confirm with Newark and Sherwood District Council before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.