Yorkshire and the Humber · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in Rotherham
✓ Hand-verified 19 Aug 2026Rotherham operates discretionary property licensing. Letting an unlicensed property where a scheme applies risks a civil penalty of up to £30,000 and a rent repayment order — check whether your property is covered below.
Required for any HMO let to 5 or more people forming 2+ households who share facilities.
Rotherham 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.
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council operates a NEW Selective Licensing scheme covering SIX designated areas of the borough. Confirmed directly on Rotherham Council's "Selective Licensing 2026 to 2031" webpage. Designation date: 14 November 2025 (made under section 80 of the Housing Act 2004 using powers granted by The Housing Act 2004 General Approval 2024). Operative date: 15 February 2026. Expiry: 14 February 2031 (5-year scheme). Designation does NOT require Secretary of State confirmation as the council qualifies under General Approval. The SIX designated areas are: (1) Eastwood / Town Centre / Boston Castle (combined area), (2) Clifton, (3) Masbrough / Kimberworth, (4) Thurcroft, (5) Dinnington / Brinsworth, (6) Parkgate. The previous 2020-2025 scheme included Maltby South East but Maltby has NOT been re-designated in the 2026-2031 scheme. The council's previous selective licensing schemes (2015-2020 and 2020-2025) successfully tackled Category 1 and 2 hazards and reduced anti-social behaviour faster than the borough average (94.2% inspection compliance by March 2018, 1,850 inspections completed). Within the designated areas, all private landlords or property managers must obtain a selective licence regardless of HMO status, subject to standard exemptions. Penalties: unlimited fine on conviction, civil penalty up to £30,000 as alternative to prosecution, rent repayment orders, prevention from holding a licence. £210 administrative fee plus £785 maintenance fee = £995 total per property for 5 years (proposed fee structure per Kamma March 2025; Cabinet-approved figures may differ slightly). Apply via Rotherham Council Community Protection Unit.
Areas: Town centre / Eastwood / Clifton / Boston Castle, Masbrough / Kimberworth, Thurcroft, Dinnington, Brinsworth, Parkgate
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
Rotherham, read 19 August 2026
Scheme runs until: 14 February 2031
No additional licensing scheme is currently in force.
Common questions
Does Rotherham have a selective licensing scheme?
Yes. Rotherham operates a selective licensing scheme. Letting a property covered by it without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £30,000, a rent repayment order of up to twelve months' rent, and the loss of the right to serve a section 21 notice.
Does Rotherham have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
No. Rotherham 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 Rotherham?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including Rotherham, 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
Selective licensing in Rotherham: areas, dates and fees →
All property licensing in Yorkshire and the Humber →
Source: Rotherham licensing page →
Every landlord in Rotherham 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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