Additional HMO licensing in Flintshire

What the designation says

An additional HMO licensing scheme is in force across the whole of Flintshire. The council designated it on 14 October 2025 under sections 56 to 60 of the Housing Act 2004 and the Welsh HMO licensing regulations, and it is known as the Flintshire County Council Additional Licensing (Houses in Multiple Occupation) Scheme 2026. It took effect on 1 April 2026 and ceases to have effect on 31 March 2031 unless revoked or extended before then. It applies to every house in multiple occupation in the county that is not already covered by mandatory licensing, in either of two categories: any HMO as defined by section 254 of the Act occupied by three or more people forming two or more households, and section 257 HMOs, meaning buildings converted into flats that do not meet the 1991 Building Regulations and have not since been brought up to standard. Operating without a licence where one is required is an offence under section 72 carrying an unlimited fine, and the landlord may be required to repay up to twelve months of rent collected while the property was unlicensed. Landlords in Wales must also be registered and licensed through Rent Smart Wales, which is a separate requirement and does not replace this one.

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.

Flintshire's own licensing page →