Additional HMO licensing in Swansea

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 a fine of up to £20,000 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 £30,000 per offence, a rent repayment order of up to twelve months' rent, and a section 21 notice that cannot be served while the property is unlicensed. Mandatory HMO licensing applies separately and everywhere, wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.

Swansea's own licensing page →