South East
HMO licensing in Worthing
Worthing Borough Council requires a mandatory licence for HMOs occupied by 5 or more people from 2 or more households. No additional or selective licensing scheme is currently in force in Worthing (checked September 2026). The published licence fee starts at £700.
Mandatory licence
5+ people, 2+ households
National scheme
Additional / selective
None in force
Mandatory licensing only
Licence fee
From £700
Decision time
About 8 weeks
The council's stated aim
Licensing schemes in Worthing
Worthing 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.
Licence fees
The published fee for a new HMO licence is £700, and £700 to renew. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.
HMO licence fee for a complete application (5-year term). The application fee is £700.00, paid in two £350.00 instalments. The renewal fee is £700.00; the verified brief does not publish a separate renewal instalment schedule.
Check the current fee on the council website (adur-worthing.gov.uk) before you apply.
Minimum room sizes
| Double bedroom | 10.22 m² minimum floor area (HMO Sch 1). |
|---|---|
| Single bedroom | 6.51 m² minimum floor area (HMO Sch 1). |
| Shared / kitchen-diner | Sufficient size to accommodate the cooker, sink and dining requirements for all occupants. |
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
- Smoke detection and heat alarms to BS 5839-6:2013 Grade D LD2 across all rooms.
- FD30S fire doors separating each habitable room from escape routes.
- Secondary means of escape from any storey above ground floor.
- Annual fire risk assessment covering means of escape, detection and compartmentation.
Kitchen, bathroom and amenity standards
- 1 WC per 5 occupants (separate WC for kitchens and dining rooms).
- 1 fixed bath or shower per 5 occupants in a bathroom with a wash basin.
- 1 kitchen with suitable cooker, oven, fridge and sink for every 5 occupants.
- Each occupant must have reasonable access to hot and cold running water.
Documents you will need
- Gas safety certificate (CP12) — Within the last 12 months for every gas appliance on the property.
- EICR — Electrical Installation Condition Report, dated within the last five years.
- EPC — Valid Energy Performance Certificate for the property.
- Floor plan with room dimensions — To scale, showing every room and its floor area against the HMO minimums.
- Fire risk assessment — Current assessment of the property's means of escape, alarms and compartmentation.
Sources
- adur-worthing.gov.uk
- adur-worthing.gov.uk
- adur-worthing.gov.uk
- adur-worthing.gov.uk
- adur-worthing.gov.uk
Compiled from the council’s own published pages and documents; data reviewed September 2026. Rules and fees change, so always confirm with Worthing Borough Council before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.