Additional HMO licensing in Peterborough
Yes. Peterborough 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 Peterborough?
Yes. Peterborough 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 Peterborough does the scheme cover?
City-wide. Decision made 2 October 2025. Covers 3 to 4 person HMOs and s.257 HMOs. Confirm a specific address against the council's own designation map before applying.
When does Peterborough's scheme end?
The designation runs until 25 January 2031, unless the council revokes it earlier under section 84 of the Housing Act 2004.
What does the licence cost?
£1,100. Councils commonly discount for accredited landlords and early applications; confirm the current figure with Peterborough before budgeting.
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
| Part A | £588 |
| Part B | £512 |
| Total | £1,100 |
Peterborough — peterborough.gov.uk, read 19 Aug 2026
What the designation says
Peterborough City Council operates a city-wide additional HMO licensing scheme. Formally designated on 15 October 2025 (following Cabinet decision on 2 October 2025), it came into force on 26 January 2026 and runs for 5 years until 25 January 2031. It applies to all HMOs containing 3 or 4 unrelated persons sharing a toilet, bathroom or kitchen across the entire city, plus section 257 HMOs (converted blocks of flats not meeting 1991 Building Regulations with more than a third let on shorthold tenancies). The scheme covers approximately 2,000 properties not previously requiring a licence. Licence fee £1,100 split into two parts (£588 Part A + £512 Part B). Administered by Home Safe. A consultation ran between 19 May and 31 July 2025 - 74% of tenants said HMO landlords had a negative local impact, 65% agreed additional licensing should be introduced. Enforcement period began 26 April 2026 (3 months after scheme start).
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 Peterborough before letting.