West Midlands · Council licensing

Landlord licensing in Herefordshire

✓ Hand-verified 18 Aug 2026

Beyond mandatory HMO licensing, Herefordshire does not currently operate a selective or additional licensing scheme. Here's the current position.

Mandatory HMO licenceRequired

Required for any HMO let to 5 or more people forming 2+ households who share facilities.

Licence feeSingle fee
£1,404

One payment.

Herefordshire, read 19 August 2026

Selective licensingNot in force

Evidenced negative by enumeration (first-party research 18 Aug 2026, page last modified 7 April 2026): the council licensing page describes only mandatory licensing - "any property that is let to five people or more, in two separate households, who share either bathroom or cooking facilities, will now require to be licenced by the Local Authority." No selective designation appears on the council domain and no consultation was found 2020-2026.

Additional licensing (HMOs)Not in force

Evidenced negative by enumeration (first-party research 18 Aug 2026): the council presents the mandatory five-person threshold as the only licensing trigger, with no s.56 additional designation. Fee: "Basic application fee for a 5 year HMO licence GBP 1404", effective 1 April 2026, with discounts of 5 percent for accreditation or association membership and 15 percent on renewal, stacking to a GBP 1,053 minimum.

Common questions

Does Herefordshire have a selective licensing scheme?

No. Herefordshire 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 Herefordshire have an additional HMO licensing scheme?

No. Herefordshire 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 Herefordshire?

A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including Herefordshire, 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.

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Source: Herefordshire licensing page →

Every landlord in Herefordshire 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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Landlord HQ uses AI to analyse legislation and tenancy agreements. While we work hard to ensure accuracy, AI can make mistakes. Always verify compliance requirements with a qualified solicitor. Landlord HQ is an information tool, not legal advice.

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