West Midlands
HMO licensing in Worcester
Worcester City Council requires a mandatory licence for HMOs occupied by 5 or more people from 2 or more households. It also runs additional licensing, which brings smaller HMOs (typically 3 or 4 people) into licensing. The published licence fee starts at £1,621.22 (£1,491.44 to renew).
Mandatory licence
5+ people, 2+ households
National scheme
Additional / selective
Additional
Council-designated schemes
Licence fee
From £1,621.22
Renewal £1,491.44
Decision time
Not published
Licensing schemes in Worcester
Worcester's additional HMO licensing scheme covers the entire City of Worcester and applies to HMOs with 3 or more occupants forming 2 or more households (including section 257 HMOs), alongside mandatory licensing for 5+ occupants. The current designation came into force on 1 September 2025 and ends on 31 August 2030.
- In force from
- 1 September 2025
- Scheme ends
- 31 August 2030
Verified 24 September 2026
Licence fees
The published fee for a new HMO licence is £1,621.22, and £1,491.44 to renew. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.
2026-2027 fees are paid in two parts: Part A on application and Part B before the licence is granted (Part B is a flat £625.00 across all bands). Mandatory licence (5+ occupants), new application: up to 5 units £1,621.22 (Part A £996.22), 6-8 units £1,638.73, 9-15 units £1,656.24, 16-23 units £1,691.26, 24+ units £1,727.31. Mandatory renewal: up to 5 units £1,491.44, rising to £1,599.59 for 24+ units. Additional licence (all other HMOs, 2-4 occupants, plus section 257 HMOs of 5+ units): new application from £1,181.41 (2-4 occupants) up to £1,351.36 (8+ units, section 257 only); renewal from £1,058.84 up to £1,226.73. Other charges include a £216.30 penalty for an unlicensed HMO, £78.28 per reminder letter for missing documents, and a £61.80 pre-application advice visit.
Fee source: worcester.gov.uk (checked 8 October 2026). Fees change during the year, so check the council before you apply.
Additional and selective licence fees
Fees for council-designated schemes are set separately from the mandatory HMO fee. Figures are the standard full-rate fee for a new licence, before any discounts.
Additional licence
£1,181.41
Ranges from £1,181.41 to £1,351.36
Renewal £1,058.84
Additional HMO licence, new application, 2 to 4 units of accommodation, 2026/27: Part A £556.41 (on application) + Part B £625.00 (before the licence is granted)
Larger HMOs under additional licensing (section 257 buildings only) cost more: 5 to 7 units £1,246.30 and 8 or more units £1,351.36 for a new application. Renewals cost £1,058.84 (2 to 4 units), £1,122.70 (5 to 7 units) and £1,226.73 (8 or more units).
Checked 8 October 2026 against worcester.gov.uk
Minimum room sizes
| Double bedroom | 10.22 sqm minimum for two people over 10 years of age. |
|---|---|
| Single bedroom | 6.51 sqm minimum for one person over 10 years of age (4.64 sqm for a child under 10). |
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
- Landlords must ensure all firefighting equipment and fire alarms are serviced and maintained in good working order, and that fire escapes are kept free from obstruction and in good repair.
- Measures required include mains-wired smoke detectors, self-closing fire doors, a suitable fire escape route, safe roof coverings, and bars or restrictors on low-level windowsills.
- The Worcester City Council Standards, Conditions and Management document sets out the council's detailed HMO licence conditions.
Kitchen, bathroom and amenity standards
- Fundamental standards of accommodation must be provided, including safe gas and electrical appliances, suitable room sizes, and adequate kitchen and bathroom provision for the number of occupants.
- Landlords must maintain water supply and drainage, common parts, fixtures, fittings and appliances (banisters, handrails, stair coverings, windows, light fittings, gardens, outbuildings, boundary fences).
- Properties must comply with the council's storage and waste disposal scheme as a mandatory licence condition.
- Gas Safe checks must be undertaken annually; an electrical safety certificate is required at least every 5 years, and a valid EPC of grade E or above at the start of the tenancy.
Documents you will need
- Gas safety certificate (CP12) — Annual Gas Safe check for every gas appliance on the property.
- EICR — Electrical Installation Condition Report, dated within the last five years.
- EPC — Valid Energy Performance Certificate of grade E or above at the start of the tenancy.
Sources
Compiled from the council’s own published pages and documents; data reviewed September 2026. Rules and fees change, so always confirm with Worcester City Council before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.