HMO licensing in Uttlesford

Uttlesford 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.

The published fee for a new HMO licence is £1,394, and £736 to renew. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.

Uttlesford's own HMO pages describe only the mandatory licensing regime (large HMOs: 5+ occupants from 2+ households) - there is no mention of an Additional or Selective licensing scheme. For 2026/27 the total cost of a new HMO licence (up to 5 bedrooms) is £1,394.00, split into a Part 1 fee of £658.00 (paid with the application, covering processing and inspection) and a Part 2 fee of £736.00 (paid on completion, before the licence is issued, covering running/enforcement costs). For HMOs with more than 5 letting rooms, an extra £39.00 per additional room applies. A renewal of an up-to-5-bedroom licence is charged at a single £736.00 fee. A 5% discount applies to valid applications submitted proactively (i.e. not prompted by a council request). An incomplete application, reminder letter, or other correspondence each attract a £39.00 charge; varying a licence (e.g. change of address or manager) costs £12.50; a missed inspection appointment costs £166.00. Fees are reviewed annually each 1 April and exclude VAT.

Check the current fee on the council website (uttlesford.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 safety is assessed against LACORS Housing - Fire Safety Guidance as applied via the Essex HMO Amenity Standards, with reference to Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, taking account of the property's storey count and type.
• A written fire risk assessment of common parts is required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and action must be taken to minimise fire risk.
• Fire detection and alarm provision, emergency lighting and a safe escape route must be suitable for the property's layout and occupancy, with escape routes kept clear of obstruction.
• Licensable HMOs require 'a high standard of fire safety' as a condition of the licence, per the council's Standard Conditions for HMO Licences.

• Kitchen, bathroom and toilet provision must meet the Essex HMO Amenity Standards ratios relative to occupancy (broadly: 1 bathroom/WC for up to 5 sharers, additional facilities as occupancy rises, and a full set of kitchen facilities per 5 occupants).
• Current gas safety certificate and electrical condition (EICR) certificates must be held and kept up to date, per the Management of HMOs (England) Regulations 2006.
• Common parts, fixtures, furnishings, appliances and the exterior of the property must be kept in good repair.
• Waste disposal facilities must be provided for occupiers.
• Landlords must make their contact details available to occupiers.

• Gas safety certificate — Current record for any gas appliances in the property, renewed annually.
• EICR — Current Electrical Installation Condition Report for the property.
• Fire risk assessment — Written assessment of common parts under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
• Management details — Landlord/manager contact details to be provided to occupiers and the council.
• Completed application form — HMO licence application form submitted via the council's online licensing portal.

• uttlesford.gov.uk
• uttlesford.gov.uk
• uttlesford.gov.uk

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