North West
HMO licensing in Rossendale
Rossendale Borough 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 Rossendale (checked September 2026). The published licence fee starts at £999.20 (£980.20 to renew).
Mandatory licence
5+ people, 2+ households
National scheme
Additional / selective
None in force
Mandatory licensing only
Licence fee
From £999.20
Renewal £980.20
Decision time
Not published
Licensing schemes in Rossendale
Rossendale Borough 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 £999.20, and £980.20 to renew. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.
A new HMO licence is charged in two parts: Part A, £719.70, payable on application; and Part B, £279.50, payable if the licence is issued — a total of £999.20. Renewal after the 5-year term costs £700.70 (Part A) + £279.50 (Part B) = £980.20.
Check the current fee on the council website (rossendale.gov.uk) before you apply.
Minimum room sizes
| Single bedroom | 6.51 m² minimum floor area for one person over 10 years old (Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Mandatory Conditions) (England) Regulations 2018). |
|---|---|
| Double bedroom | 10.22 m² minimum floor area for two persons over 10 years old (Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Mandatory Conditions) (England) Regulations 2018). |
| Child's bedroom (under 10 years) | 4.64 m² minimum; rooms below this size cannot be used as sleeping accommodation at all (national HMO space standard). |
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
- Applicants must submit a sketch floor plan for each floor level marking fire doors, fire extinguishers, fire alarm call points and detectors, emergency lighting, and fire exit signage, using the council's standard floor plan symbol key.
Kitchen, bathroom and amenity standards
- The property must be suitable for the number of occupants specified on the licence, assessed against the council's HMO standards document and the national HMO amenity standards.
Documents you will need
- HMO application form — Completed application form.
- Guidance notes — Read in conjunction with the application form.
- Sketch floor plans — A sketch of each floor level, marked with room numbers, dimensions and fire safety features using the council's symbol key.
- Final checklist — Council-provided checklist confirming all required items have been submitted.
Sources
Compiled from the council’s own published pages and documents; data reviewed September 2026. Rules and fees change, so always confirm with Rossendale Borough Council before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.