HMO licensing in Rugby

Rugby 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.

The published fee for a new HMO licence is £1,362, and £1,177 to renew. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.

Scaled by occupant count, per the council's HMO licence 'Fees' page (all VAT exempt, for applications received before occupation of the HMO): £1,362 for one to six occupants; £1,556 for seven to 11 occupants; £1,694 for 12+ occupants. Renewal is £1,177 (licences last a maximum of five years). A £900 surcharge applies to applications from landlords found to be running an unlicensed HMO. The fee covers a non-refundable administration charge plus a regulation charge that is refunded if the application is unsuccessful. totalGbp shows the 1-6 occupant fee. The council publishes no accredited-landlord discount and no instalment option, so instalments is null.

Check the current fee on the council website (rugby.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.

• Properties must have adequate fire precautions in line with national LACORS fire safety guidance; the council works with Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service so precautions are proportionate to the risk.
• Adequate fire and sound insulation must be provided between bedrooms and between bedrooms and living rooms.
• Shared kitchens must have a fire door fitted with intumescent strips, cold smoke seals and a self-closing device, and a BS 6575 fire blanket fixed to the wall at about 1.5 m, nearer the exit than the cooker.
• Individual lettings with their own cooking facilities must have a fire blanket close to the cooking appliance, fixed to the wall.
• Landlords must routinely check all fire precautions and should keep a log of the checks.
• The council's additional information form asks the applicant to describe fire escape routes, how often fire drills take place, and how occupants are told what to do in a fire.

• Shared kitchen: not less than 7 m2 for up to 5 persons and 10 m2 for 6-10 persons; for more than 10 persons consult the council's Public Health and Licensing Team.
• Kitchen equipment per 5 persons: a sink with integral drainer, constant hot and cold water and tiled splashback (a wash-hand basin is not a substitute); a four-ring cooker with oven and grill (two cookers for 6-10 occupants, combination microwaves acceptable only as additional provision); a fixed impervious worktop of at least 0.5 m x 2 m; six socket outlets in addition to those for major appliances; a 0.16 m3 food cupboard per person; a 0.15 m3 fridge with adequate freezer provision.
• Shared kitchen must have an extractor fan or openable window, and refuse disposal facilities.
• Living room and kitchen in the same area: 11.5 m2 for 5 occupants, 19.5 m2 for 6-10 occupants. Separate living room: 12 m2 for up to 5 occupants, 16.5 m2 for 6-10.
• Bathrooms and WCs: 1-5 persons need one bathroom with fixed bath or shower and one WC (may be combined); 6-10 persons need two bathrooms and two separate WCs with wash-hand basins (one WC may be within a bathroom); 11-15 persons need three bathrooms plus three separate WCs (two WCs may be within bathrooms). Every WC needs a wash-hand basin. Facilities must be no more than two floors from any user. Bath minimum 1700 x 760 mm or shower 800 x 800 mm.
• Heating: fixed heating in every bedroom and living room capable of maintaining 18C when it is -1C outside. LPG and paraffin room heaters are prohibited.
• Electrical: installation certificate from a Competent Persons Scheme electrician at least every five years; minimum sockets: 6 in each kitchen, 4 in each bedroom and living room, 4 additional elsewhere. Portable appliances supplied must be maintained safe and tested regularly on a risk-assessed basis.
• Gas: annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe engineer (record kept two years and issued to tenants).
• Lighting and ventilation: window glazing at least 1/10 of floor area and opening area at least 1/20 of floor area in bedrooms and living rooms; lighting point in every circulation space, room and space of 2 m2 or more.
• Handrails on stairs with a change in level over 600 mm; landlords must provide adequate refuse and recycling bins meeting council specification.

• Completed HMO licence application form — Submitted via the council's online 'Apply for a house in multiple occupation licence' service; one application per HMO. Tacit consent does not apply - the HMO must not be let until a licence is granted.
• Application fee — £1,362 (1-6 occupants), £1,556 (7-11) or £1,694 (12+); £900 surcharge if the HMO is already operating unlicensed.
• Additional information form — Council form covering proposed licence holder and emergency contact, age of property, number of households, furniture safety declaration, gas appliance declaration and fire safety/escape-route details; signed by the applicant, licence holder and manager.
• Fit and proper person declaration — Council form for the applicant/licence holder and any manager.
• Relevant person declaration — Council form for other persons associated with the application.
• Gas safety record — Current landlord gas safety record where gas appliances are present (annual check required by the council's standards).
• Electrical installation certificate — Five-yearly certificate from a Competent Persons Scheme electrician, as required by the council's standards.

• rugby.gov.uk
• rugby.gov.uk
• rugby.gov.uk
• rugby.gov.uk
• rugby.gov.uk
• rugby.gov.uk
• legislation.gov.uk

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