Merseyside · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in Knowsley
✓ Hand-verified 19 Aug 2026Beyond mandatory HMO licensing, Knowsley 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.
The band is set by how many people live in the property.
| 5 persons | £875 |
| 6 to 10 persons | £1,206 |
| 11 to 15 persons | £1,550 |
| 5 persons | £420 |
| 6 to 10 | £518 |
| 11 to 15 | £621 |
Knowsley — knowsley.gov.uk, read 19 Aug 2026
Evidenced negative by enumeration (research pass 17 Aug 2026): Knowsley's multi-page HMO guide ("Check if you need a licence", fees headed 2026-2027) presents mandatory HMO licensing (5+ persons) as the only scheme operating. The landlord-guidance page describes additional and selective licensing only as statutory powers councils may use, never as live local schemes. No consultation found on the council domain 2020-2026.
Evidenced negative by enumeration (research pass 17 Aug 2026): the guide states the council "can also decide to extend licensing to smaller HMOs" as a general power; the actual scheme and 2026-27 fee schedule cover mandatory HMOs only. No additional designation on any council page.
Common questions
Does Knowsley have a selective licensing scheme?
No. Knowsley 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 Knowsley have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
No. Knowsley 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 Knowsley?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including Knowsley, 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 Merseyside →
Source: Knowsley licensing page →
Every landlord in Knowsley 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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