Additional HMO licensing in Newport
Yes. Newport operates an additional HMO licensing scheme. Letting a covered property without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £40,000 and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent.
Common questions
Do I need an additional HMO licence in Newport?
Yes. Newport operates an additional HMO licensing scheme. Letting a covered property without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £40,000 and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent.
Which areas of Newport does the scheme cover?
21 wards: Allt-yr-yn, Alway, Beechwood, Bettws, Bishton and Langstone, Caerleon, Gaer, Graig, Llanwern, Lliswerry, Malpas, Pillgwenlly, Ringland, Rogerstone East, Rogerstone North, Rogerstone West, Shaftesbury, St Julians, Stow Hill, Tredegar Park and Marshfield, Victoria. Applies to properties with 3 or more persons forming more than two households. Confirm a specific address against the council's own designation map before applying.
When does Newport's scheme end?
The designation runs until 12 February 2030, unless the council revokes it earlier under section 84 of the Housing Act 2004.
What does the licence cost?
£1,439.78 3 to 5 units. Councils commonly discount for accredited landlords and early applications; confirm the current figure with Newport before budgeting.
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
| Each unit | £78.70 |
- Renewal before expiry £1,073
- Renewal after expiry £1,358
Newport, read 25 August 2026
What the designation says
Newport operates an additional HMO licensing scheme. The current designation began on 13 February 2025 and ends on 12 February 2030, renewing the scheme the council ran before that date. Additional licensing brings houses in multiple occupation into licensing beyond the mandatory scheme, and the council uses it to regulate property conditions and to satisfy itself that the licence holder and the manager are fit and proper persons. The precise designated area has not been confirmed here, so a landlord should check a specific address against the council's designation before letting. Landlords in Wales must also register and be licensed through Rent Smart Wales, which is a separate requirement and does not replace this licence.
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 £40,000 per offence and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent. Both maxima apply to conduct on or after 1 May 2026; before that date they were £30,000 and twelve months. Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026 and possession now runs through the amended section 8 grounds. Mandatory HMO licensing applies separately and everywhere, wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Information tool, not legal advice. Confirm the position with Newport before letting.