HMO licensing in North Somerset

North Somerset 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 £752.10. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.

From North Somerset Council's 'Fees and Charges 2026-27' (linked from the council's HMO licensing page): HMO licensing - Mandatory: £752.10 for a property containing up to five units of accommodation, plus £67.75 for each unit thereafter. Discounted rate (for landlords/agents who are members of a West of England Rental Standard approved organisation - the HMO page says they 'may be entitled' to a discount): £599.50 for up to 5 units plus £54.55 per additional unit. Fit and proper person assessment: £45.05 per person (£45.00 discounted). Cost recovery when licensing works are not completed: £49.80 per hour (including third and subsequent visits). Fee scales per unit of accommodation above 5, not flat. The published schedule gives a single licence fee; no Part 1/Part 2 split and no separate renewal fee are published, so renewalGbp and instalments are null (renewal is not stated to differ, but this was not verified). Totalgbp shown is the standard (non-discounted) base fee for up to 5 units.

Check the current fee on the council website (n-somerset.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.

• Fire precautions follow the LACoRS 'Housing - Fire Safety' guidance; alternatively a fire risk assessment may specify alternative works. Higher-risk properties (bedsits, hostels, vulnerable tenants, high occupancy, complex layouts, poor management) may need additional precautions. Hostels are determined jointly with Avon Fire and Rescue Service.
• Shared accommodation (not bedsits): Grade D1 (tamper-proof battery) Category LD2 detection system to BS 5839-6 (as amended 2019): interlinked smoke detection in circulation areas on each floor, heat detection in kitchens, smoke detection in the shared lounge and any cellar; 75 dBA at bed-heads. 5- and 6-storey properties need Grade A Category LD1 with detectors in all risk rooms, bedrooms and cupboards.
• Bedsit accommodation: Grade D1 Category LD1 system (Grade A required for properties of 3 or more storeys), including smoke detection in bedsits without cooking facilities, heat detection in kitchens/bedsits with cooking, detectors in airing/meter cupboards, loft and garage; an extra non-interlinked smoke detector in bedsits with cooking facilities.
• Emergency lighting to BS 5266 only if the building has 5 or more storeys, the escape route is long/complex, or other risk factors exist. Fire blanket to BS EN 1869 in each room containing a kitchen. Fire door (BS 476-22) to each shared kitchen or bedsit containing a kitchen.
• Locks on means-of-escape and final exit doors must open from inside without a key. Mandatory conditions: smoke alarm on each storey with living accommodation; carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel appliance; licence conditions also require a BS 5839-6 test certificate within 2 months of licensing if not supplied, emergency lighting declaration, annual review of fire precautions, tenant fire information and training on alarm controls.

• Bath/shower and toilet ratio: 4 or fewer sharing = at least one fixed bath or shower and a toilet (may be in bathroom); 5 or more sharing = a fixed bath or shower for every 5 occupants (or part of) and, where reasonably practicable, one toilet separate from the bathroom per 5 occupants (or part), or a further complete bathroom instead. Council table: up to 5 sharing = 1 bath/shower + toilet; 6-10 = 2 baths/showers and 1 separate toilet (for 6-8 only where reasonably practicable), or 2-3 complete bathrooms; 11-15 = 3 baths/showers; 20 = 4 baths/showers with 2 separate toilets. A wash hand basin is required in every room or compartment containing a toilet.
• Bathrooms: within 2 floors of any bedroom, accessible from communal areas, inside the building; mechanical ventilation at minimum 15 l/s in addition to any window; separate toilet compartments need a window of 1/20th floor area or 6 l/s extraction; fixed heating appliance in each bath/shower room; 300 mm tiled splashback to baths, showers and basins.
• Shared kitchen: one sink with drainer and tiled splashback for up to 5 occupants (dishwasher acceptable as second sink); one cooker with 4-ring hob, oven and grill per 5 occupants (or part) - for 6-9 persons a 27-litre microwave with oven and grill is acceptable as the second cooker; two worktop-height fridges with freezer compartments (or 1 fridge + 1 freezer) per 5 occupiers; fixed impervious worktop min 500 mm x 1000 mm for up to 5 occupants; 0.3 m3 dry-goods storage per occupier (0.6 m3 for exclusive-use kitchens); four worktop-height sockets plus one per major appliance; mechanical extraction of 60 l/s (30 l/s if within 300 mm of hob centre) in addition to windows; dining provision within one floor of a kitchen without a dining area.
• Heating: fixed, efficient heating in every unit of living accommodation capable of 21C with -1C outside, available at all times and under occupier control (electric appliances on a dedicated socket). All facilities available 24 hours and internally accessible from all bedrooms.
• Licence conditions (Schedule 2) include: EICR every 5 years with no C1/C2 defects, EPC minimum E, no obligatory sharing of bedrooms, licence holder and manager to attend a recognised HMO management course within 5 years, Code of Good Management Practice displayed in common parts, occupant list within 28 days on request, and no layout or room-numbering change without written consent.

• HMO licence application form — Downloaded via the GOV.UK 'apply for a house in multiple occupation licence' page for North Somerset (a copy can be requested from the Private Rented Housing team at phsupport@n-somerset.gov.uk).
• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) — Required document per the council's HMO page; under licence conditions the report must be no more than 5 years old.
• Gas safety certificate — Required document; must have been obtained within the previous 12 months where gas is supplied.
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) — Required document; licence conditions require a minimum EPC rating of E.
• Fire detection and alarm system inspection and test certificate — Where appropriate (BS 5839-6 certificate).
• Emergency lighting inspection and test certificate — Where appropriate (BS 5266).
• Fit and proper person application — The council says you may also be required to make a fit and proper person application (fee £45.05 per person, or £45.00 discounted).
• Evidence of West of England Rental Standard membership — Only if claiming the discounted fee; contact the council to confirm entitlement.

• n-somerset.gov.uk
• n-somerset.gov.uk
• n-somerset.gov.uk
• n-somerset.gov.uk
• n-somerset.inconsult.uk

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