South East · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in Eastbourne
✓ Hand-verified 18 Aug 2026Beyond mandatory HMO licensing, Eastbourne 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.
Eastbourne 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, council's own words (first-party research 18 Aug 2026): the council's HMO Development Plan Document states "Separate to planning requirements, the Council operates a mandatory licensing scheme under the Housing Act 2004 as amended for HMOs with five or more occupants. In addition, the Council has the option to introduce discretionary additional or selective licensing in the future." That explicitly confirms only mandatory licensing is in force. Eastbourne is administered jointly with Lewes and its HMO pages sit on the shared council domain.
Evidenced negative, council's own words (first-party research 18 Aug 2026): the same HMO Development Plan Document confirms additional licensing is only an option "in the future", so no s.56 designation is in force. the council has an HMO Development Plan Document and an Article 4 Direction consultation, which are planning controls and an HMO-pressure signal rather than licensing designations.
Common questions
Does Eastbourne have a selective licensing scheme?
No. Eastbourne 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 Eastbourne have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
No. Eastbourne 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 Eastbourne?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including Eastbourne, 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 East →
Source: Eastbourne licensing page →
Every landlord in Eastbourne 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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