South West · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in Cheltenham
✓ Hand-verified 18 Aug 2026Beyond mandatory HMO licensing, Cheltenham does not currently operate a selective or additional licensing scheme. Here's the current position.
Required for any HMO let to 5 or more people forming 2+ households who share facilities.
Cheltenham sets this fee under section 63(3) of the Housing Act 2004. Its current charge is not yet recorded here.
The council’s own licensing page carries the charge that applies today — confirm it there before you budget.
Not established is not the same as free.
Evidenced negative by enumeration (first-party research 18 Aug 2026): the council HMO page defines an HMO as "a property (house or flat) which is let out to three or more tenants, who form two or more households and who share a living room, kitchen, bathroom or toilet", and the renewal page states "A licence lasts for three years" and "The HMO licence fee in Cheltenham has changed. The fee is now split into two payments." Only HMO licensing appears; no selective designation is published and no consultation was found 2020-2026.
Evidenced negative by enumeration (first-party research 18 Aug 2026): the council HMO licensing hub presents the HMO regime alone with a two-part fee and a three-year licence, and carries no additional licensing tier or designation. A GBP 154.14 additional charge applies to Part 2 for late renewals. No s.56 designation exists on the council domain.
Common questions
Does Cheltenham have a selective licensing scheme?
No. Cheltenham does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Does Cheltenham have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
No. Cheltenham does not currently operate an additional HMO licensing scheme. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Do I need an HMO licence in Cheltenham?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including Cheltenham, where a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households who share basic amenities. Smaller shared houses may also need a licence where an additional licensing scheme applies.
- Free landlord compliance check — five questions, no account
- Tenancy agreement checker — findings cited to the Act and section
All property licensing in South West →
Source: Cheltenham licensing page →
Every landlord in Cheltenham also needs
A valid Gas Safety certificate (annual), an EICR (every 5 years), a valid EPC, a protected deposit, smoke & CO alarms, the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet, and a current How to Rent guide — plus the new Section 8 possession rules since Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026.
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