Additional HMO licensing in Charnwood

What the designation says

Charnwood Borough Council designated a borough-wide additional HMO licensing scheme on 10 March 2022 under section 56 of the Housing Act 2004. It came into force on 1 April 2023 and ceases on 31 March 2028 unless revoked or extended. It applies to every house in multiple occupation, whatever the number of storeys, occupied by three or four unrelated people, and to all section 257 HMOs, meaning buildings converted into self-contained flats where the building is wholly occupied by tenants. Failing to apply is an offence carrying an unlimited fine on conviction, or a financial penalty of up to £30,000, and up to twelve months' rent may be repayable.

What this means for a landlord

A licence must be in place before the property is let, not applied for afterwards. Operating unlicensed in a designated area is a criminal offence: a civil penalty of up to £30,000 per offence, a rent repayment order of up to twelve months' rent, and a section 21 notice that cannot be served while the property is unlicensed. Mandatory HMO licensing applies separately and everywhere, wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.

Charnwood's own licensing page →