Additional HMO licensing in West Northamptonshire
Yes. West Northamptonshire 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 West Northamptonshire?
Yes. West Northamptonshire 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 West Northamptonshire does the scheme cover?
The 2020 area extended westward plus additional areas in Northampton and Daventry. Covers HMOs with three or four occupiers in two or more households and qualifying s.257 HMOs. The full street and ward list is in Appendix D of the Cabinet report, a map plus street list not reproduced in the report body. This REPLACES the original Northampton Borough Council designation made 16 October 2019, in force 1 February 2020, which ceased 31 January 2025. Confirm a specific address against the council's own designation map before applying.
When does West Northamptonshire's scheme end?
The designation runs until 23 February 2030, unless the council revokes it earlier under section 84 of the Housing Act 2004.
What does the licence cost?
£1,505 per person after 5. Councils commonly discount for accredited landlords and early applications; confirm the current figure with West Northamptonshire before budgeting.
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
| Part 1 | £650 |
| Part 2 | £855 |
| Total | £1,505 |
West Northamptonshire, read 20 August 2026
What the designation says
West Northamptonshire operates an additional HMO licensing scheme that took effect on 24 February 2025 and runs for five years. It applies to properties occupied by three or four people forming two or more households, which mandatory licensing does not reach. The designated area covers the area of the council's previous 2020 to 2025 additional licensing scheme, which ended on 31 January 2025, together with further areas in Northampton and Daventry. The council introduced it to address inadequate maintenance, fire safety concerns and general property conditions in shared housing, and the effects of poorly managed HMOs on the surrounding community. Because the scheme covers designated areas rather than the whole district, an address should be checked against the designation rather than assumed from its postcode. Mandatory HMO licensing continues to apply separately wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
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 West Northamptonshire before letting.