East Midlands · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in Derby
✓ Hand-verified 23 Aug 2026Beyond mandatory HMO licensing, Derby 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.
Derby 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.
Derby City Council does NOT operate any Selective Licensing scheme anywhere in the city. Confirmed directly on Derby City Council's HMO page: "Derby City Council does not currently operate any Additional HMO Licensing or Selective Licensing schemes." Cross-confirmed by Legislate.tech ("At the time of writing, this Council has not created any Selective Licensing areas") and by LandlordZONE coverage of the 2024 Article 4 proposal which explicitly stated "Derby currently doesn't have an additional or selective licensing scheme." The Article 4 Direction that came into force May 2025 in central Derby wards is a planning control, not a licensing scheme. No selective licensing consultation is currently live. Selective licensing is "kept under review" but no designation has been made.
Derby City Council does NOT operate any Additional HMO Licensing scheme. Confirmed directly on the council's HMO information page (March 2026 register published): "Derby City Council does not currently operate any Additional HMO Licensing or Selective Licensing schemes." Only the national mandatory HMO scheme applies (5+ occupiers from 2+ households). The council has signalled that additional and selective licensing options are "kept under review" (LGA case study) but no scheme has been designated. Derby introduced an Article 4 Direction in May 2025 covering Arboretum ward and parts of Abbey, Alvaston North, Darley, Mackworth, New Zealand, Normanton, Sinfin and Osmaston within the Ring Road. This is a PLANNING control (requires planning permission to convert C3 dwellings into smaller C4 HMOs) and is OFTEN CONFUSED with licensing. It is not a licensing scheme. Landlords with smaller HMOs in those wards now need planning permission to convert, but do not need an HMO licence unless the property meets the mandatory 5+ occupier threshold. The scheme generated over £22,000 of planning fees in its first week (May 2025) due to the volume of applications. Mandatory HMO fee: £1,394 for up to 6 bedrooms.
Common questions
Does Derby have a selective licensing scheme?
No. Derby 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 Derby have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
No. Derby 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 Derby?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including Derby, 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 East Midlands →
Source: Derby licensing page →
Every landlord in Derby 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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