East of England · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in North Hertfordshire
✓ Hand-verified 19 Aug 2026Beyond mandatory HMO licensing, North Hertfordshire 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.
North Hertfordshire 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 in the council's own words (first-party research 19 Aug 2026): the North Hertfordshire "Policy for Licensing Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)" states verbatim "There are no proposals to introduce a selective licensing scheme in North Hertfordshire." The same policy sets the licensable threshold as "any private property that is rented as a shared house, flat or bedsit occupied by 5 or more unrelated tenants, regardless of how many storeys are in the property." Distinct from East Hertfordshire, Hertsmere and Hertfordshire County Council.
Evidenced negative in the council's own words (first-party research 19 Aug 2026): the council's HMO licensing policy states verbatim "There are no proposals to introduce an additional licensing scheme in North Hertfordshire." The policy covers mandatory licensing only and records that "The maximum fine for managing an unlicensed HMO which requires licensing, or for exceeding the permitted number of occupiers, is £20,000." The mandatory fee is published on the council fees and charges page as a linked Licensing Fees PDF; the figure was not captured first-party in this pass. Next step is to read that PDF directly.
Common questions
Does North Hertfordshire have a selective licensing scheme?
No. North Hertfordshire 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 North Hertfordshire have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
No. North Hertfordshire 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 North Hertfordshire?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including North Hertfordshire, 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 East of England →
Source: North Hertfordshire licensing page →
Every landlord in North Hertfordshire 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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