Additional HMO licensing in Swansea
Yes. Swansea 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 Swansea?
Yes. Swansea 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 Swansea does the scheme cover?
Castle, Uplands, St Thomas and Waterfront wards. The Additional HMO Licensing (Castle, Uplands, St Thomas and Waterfront) Scheme 2025, designated at Council 2 October 2025, implemented from 14 February 2026 for five years. This REPLACES the 2020 scheme (Castle, Uplands, St Thomas) and the 2016 Castle and Uplands designation, whose five-year term from 9 March 2016 lapsed in 2021. Confirm a specific address against the council's own designation map before applying.
When does Swansea's scheme end?
The designation runs until 13 February 2031, unless the council revokes it earlier under section 84 of the Housing Act 2004.
What does the licence cost?
£1,072. Councils commonly discount for accredited landlords and early applications; confirm the current figure with Swansea before budgeting.
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
| Each occupier | £80 |
- Discounted single-payment rate or in two parts
Swansea — swansea.gov.uk/hmofees, read 19 Aug 2026
What the designation says
Swansea Council operates an active additional HMO licensing scheme known as the Additional HMO Licensing (Castle, Uplands, Waterfront and St Thomas) Scheme 2025. The new scheme came into force on 14 February 2026 and runs for five years until 13 February 2031, replacing the previous scheme which was originally designated in 2020 (covering Castle, Uplands and St Thomas) and extended in 2022 to include the newly-formed Waterfront ward. The scheme applies to ALL HMOs of any size within the four designated wards, including HMOs that fall outside the mandatory licensing regime and Section 257 HMOs (poorly converted blocks of self-contained flats). Approximately 1,900 HMOs in Swansea are estimated to be in the Castle and Uplands wards alone. Existing licences issued under the previous scheme are passported through to the new scheme without alteration to expiry dates or conditions, but on renewal or new application after 14 February 2026 the new policy and conditions apply. Key new conditions in the 2025 scheme: a requirement that all fixtures, fittings and appliances are maintained in good and safe repair; a specific energy efficiency condition; and updated requirements for fire alarm/detection/suppression system servicing in accordance with BS5839 Part 6. Outside the four designated wards, only mandatory HMO licensing applies (HMOs of 3+ storeys with 5+ occupiers in 2+ households). Failing to license an HMO in Swansea is a criminal offence carrying an unlimited fine plus possible Rent Repayment Orders.
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 Swansea before letting.