East of England · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in West Suffolk
✓ Hand-verified 19 Aug 2026Beyond mandatory HMO licensing, West Suffolk does not currently operate a selective or additional licensing scheme. Here's the current position.
Required for any HMO let to 5 or more people forming 2+ households who share facilities.
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
| Stage 1 | £460 |
| Stage 2 | £210 |
| Total | £670 |
- Renewal Stage 1 £335 + Stage 2 £215 = £550
- Variation £110
West Suffolk, read 19 August 2026
Evidenced negative in the council's own words (first-party research 19 Aug 2026): the council HMO page states verbatim "West Suffolk also has discretionary powers to implement Additional Licensing Scheme for other HMO's and Selective Licencing Scheme for properties within the Private Rented Sector. The council has not sought to adopt additional or selective licensing and as such only those properties that are occupied by five or more persons that do not form a single household would require a licence." This is a model answer: it names the power and then states the council has not exercised it. West Suffolk was created 1 April 2019 from Forest Heath and St Edmundsbury and no predecessor designation carried over. Distinct from East Suffolk, Ipswich, Babergh, Mid Suffolk and Suffolk County Council.
Evidenced negative in the council's own words (first-party research 19 Aug 2026): the council states verbatim "The council has not sought to adopt additional or selective licensing". Fee structure in force from 1 April 2025, two-stage: new HMO licence Stage 1 £460 plus Stage 2 £210, total £670; renewal Stage 1 £335 plus Stage 2 £215, total £550; variation £110; revocation £0; temporary exemption notice £0. The council adds "An application is not duly made until both fees are paid." this row previously held a flat £1,100, which is not a figure West Suffolk publishes.
Common questions
Does West Suffolk have a selective licensing scheme?
No. West Suffolk does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Does West Suffolk have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
No. West Suffolk 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 West Suffolk?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including West Suffolk, 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
All property licensing in East of England →
Source: West Suffolk licensing page →
Every landlord in West Suffolk 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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