The application process is designed to be easy to follow and if you get stuck at any point, need help or advice or would like a one to one appointment, we have officers available to help you. You can also view our licensing FAQs.
We’ve put together details of what you will need to include with your application and details of the different licence period criteria so you can prepare to apply. You can also view the application checklist here.
We’ve also put everything you need to know about 257 buildings in this handy PDF.
When submitting your application, you will need to provide:
- A floor plan showing the communal area in metric units. You’ll need to label
- the usage of every room and show the location of smoke/heat detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. This plan does not need to be drawn by a professional.
- A fire risk assessment (FRA)– if you don’t have a current FRA at the time of your application you will be issued with a 1-year licence and a special condition will be added to your licence requiring you to get an FRA for your HMO.
- Safety certificates – all current and satisfactory at the time of application
- Gas safety certificate (if relevant).
- A satisfactory Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
- Fire Alarm Test Certificate (if relevant)
- Emergency lighting (if installed) – annual check
- A PAT certificate for any appliances supplied by the landlord. If the items are new, then a copy of receipts will be sufficient.
Please provide the information and documents outlined below:
- the number of self-contained-flats and, of those, the number
- that the applicant believes to be subject to a lease of over 21 years; and
- over which they cannot reasonably be able to exercise control.
- in relation to each self-contained flat that is not owner-occupied, and which is under the control of or being managed by the proposed licence holder, and in relation to the common parts of the HMO
- a floorplan showing the number and location of smoke alarms and details of the fire escape routes and any other fire safety information provided to occupiers
- a declaration that the furniture in the HMO or house that is provided under the terms of any tenancy or licence meets any safety requirements contained in any enactment; and
- a gas safety certificate for any parts of the HMO over which the proposed licence holder can reasonably be expected to exercise control.
- an EICR for any residential premise let out on a specified tenancy
Optional items
The following documents are optional but are required to meet the criteria for a five-year licence.
- EPC Certificate
- Details of accreditation if you are an accredited landlord or agent (copy of certificate or reference number) with an accrediting body recognised by the council (Note: to qualify for a five year licence you will require proof that you are accredited with a recognised accreditation body)
Fit and proper person
The main criteria for being granted an HMO licence is to be a “fit and proper” person to hold a licence. We may decide you are not fit to manage an HMO if you have:
- committed any offences relating to fraud, dishonesty, violence, drugs, human trafficking, or firearms
- committed offences listed in Schedule 3 to the Sexual Offences Act 2003
- practiced unlawful discrimination in carrying out business
- contravened any provisions in housing or tenancy law
- been involved in anti-social behaviour
You will be asked to sign a declaration as part of your application process, and we may seek more information from you as part of our checks.
