HMO licensing in Stoke-on-Trent

The published fee for a new HMO licence is £895. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.

Fees are paid in two parts. Part 1 (£428.00 for every property size) covers the cost of processing the application and is paid on submission. Part 2 covers the enforcement element and ongoing administration of the HMO service and is paid once initial checks are complete and an inspection has been arranged; Part 2 varies by the number of bedrooms: up to 6 bedrooms £467.00, 7-10 bedrooms £494.00, 11-20 bedrooms £549.75, 21-30 bedrooms £606.00, 31+ bedrooms £660.50. A £50.00 reduction applies to a subsequent licence application submitted within 3 months of a previous one. The council's fee schedule does not separately break out a lower renewal fee, so the same total is shown for new and renewal applications for a property of the same size.

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

• A fire risk assessment must be carried out under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, covering hazard identification, people at risk, and evacuation planning, and reviewed regularly.
• Interlinked smoke alarms, emergency lighting, fire doors and fire exit signage are required, with requirements varying by number of occupants, storeys and tenancy type.
• Written records of fire risk assessments and logs of alarm tests, emergency lighting checks and fire door checks must be kept.
• Fixed electrical installations must be inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every 5 years, and gas appliances safety-checked annually.

• One kitchen (or equivalent facilities) is required for every 5 occupants, with cooking, storage, fridge/freezer and worktop provision scaled to occupant numbers (e.g. a 4-burner cooker with oven and grill for 5 occupants, an additional cooker and fridge/freezer for 6).
• One bathroom/WC is required for every 5 occupants where facilities are shared, each with a bath or shower, wash hand basin, WC, hot and cold water, and heating capable of reaching 18°C when it is -1°C outside.
• Living/common rooms must meet minimum sizes depending on occupancy (12 sqm for up to 6 occupants, 16 sqm for 7-10 occupants), and all habitable rooms need adequate natural light, ventilation and heating (21°C when it is -1°C outside).
• Communal areas, fixtures, fittings and appliances must be kept in good, clean repair, with satisfactory arrangements for waste and litter disposal.

• Photo ID — For the proposed licence holder, or a director if the applicant is a company.
• Proof of address — A recent council tax statement for the licence holder.
• Gas safety certificate (CP12) — Current and valid, if the property has gas appliances.
• Electrical safety certificate — A current Electrical Installation Certificate or Electrical Installation Condition Report (Periodic Inspection Report).
• Fire alarm test certificate — Confirming the fire detection and alarm system has been tested and is in working order.
• Emergency lighting test certificate — Where emergency lighting is installed.
• Fire risk assessment — Current written fire risk assessment for the property.
• Building control sign-off — For any completed building works, where applicable.

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