HMO licensing in Wigan

Wigan 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 £823, and £531 to renew. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.

New mandatory HMO licence applications cost £823 and renewals cost £531, covering a 5-year licence. Wigan Council does not publish an instalment option on its fees page. Properties with 11-20 occupiers pay an additional £34, and properties with 21+ occupiers pay an additional £65 on top of the base fee. Full payment must be received before an application can be processed.

Check the current fee on the council website (wigan.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 written Fire Risk Assessment by a competent, suitably qualified person must be submitted with every application.
• 1-2 storey properties need a Grade D LD2 detection system (interlinked mains-powered smoke detectors in hallways, landings, lounge and all bedrooms; heat detector in communal kitchens); 3-4 storey properties need a Grade A LD2 system with manual call points.
• 30-minute protected escape route that does not pass through kitchens, lounges or dining rooms.
• FD30S fire doors (tested to BS EN 1634-1:2014) fitted with intumescent/cold smoke seals and self-closing devices on all exits onto the protected route.
• A fire blanket (BS EN 1869:2019) must be provided in each shared kitchen and any bedroom with cooking facilities.
• An annual Fire Detection and Alarm System Certificate (BS 5839-6) must be submitted to the council.
• LPG and paraffin heaters are not permitted under any circumstances.

• Where 4 or fewer occupiers share bathing/toilet facilities: at least one bathroom with a fixed bath or shower and a toilet.
• Where 5 or more occupiers share: one separate WC with wash hand basin for every 5 sharing occupiers, plus one bathroom (which may contain a toilet) with a fixed bath or shower for every 5 sharing occupiers.
• Shared kitchen sinks and cookers (minimum 4-ring) provided at a ratio of 1 per 5 sharing people; fridge space of at least 30 litres per person.
• Kitchens must be fitted with a 30-minute protection fire door with intumescent strips and cold smoke seals.
• Heating must maintain 21°C in reception rooms/kitchens, 18°C in bedrooms and 22°C in bathrooms when it is -1°C outside.
• EPC must be at least band E; a copy of the EPC is required as part of every new or renewal licence application.

• Fire Detection and Alarm System Certificate — BS 5839-6 certificate obtained within the last 12 months, submitted annually.
• Fire Risk Assessment — Written assessment completed by a competent, suitably qualified person.
• Gas safety certificate (CP12) — Current certificate for all gas appliances, serviced annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
• EICR — Electrical Installation Condition Report for the whole installation, carried out by a NICEIC/ECA member no more than 5 years old.
• PAT certificate — Required if the property is let furnished with electrical appliances.
• Emergency lighting test certificate — Periodic inspection and testing certificate, serviced annually to BS 5266-1, where emergency lighting is installed.
• Fire extinguisher maintenance certificate — Annual service certificate (BS 5306-3) where extinguishers are present.
• EPC — Valid Energy Performance Certificate for the property.
• Tenancy agreement — Copy of an official tenancy agreement used at the property.
• HMO floor plan — Plan showing room uses, sizes in m², floor levels, stairs and fire safety features (fire doors, detectors, escape windows).
• DBS certificate and photo ID — Basic DBS check and photo ID (passport/driving licence) for both the licence holder and the managing agent/proposed manager.

• wigan.gov.uk
• wigan.gov.uk
• wigan.gov.uk
• wigan.gov.uk

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