Great Yarmouth HMO licensing guide

Great Yarmouth HMO licence — do you need one?

Great Yarmouth has 1 licensing scheme on our register, on top of the national mandatory HMO rules. This page summarises the active and upcoming schemes, links to the council source, and explains what you need to do as a landlord.

Which licence do you need in Great Yarmouth?

England runs three separate regimes. More than one can apply to the same property.

  • Mandatory HMO licenceExplained on this page5 or more occupants from 2+ households sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toiletApplies everywhere in England
  • Additional HMO licensingSmaller HMOs the national rules miss — council-designatedNot in force in Great Yarmouth
  • Selective licensingANY privately rented home in a designated area — including single-family letsIn force in Great Yarmouth · See selective licensing in Great Yarmouth

Active and upcoming schemes

Sourced from Great Yarmouth announcements and tracked by our weekly scanner. Last checked 31 August 2026. Always verify directly with the council before applying.

ConsultationEffective: Consultation closed 1 September 2025; implementation targeted spring 2026

Proposed Selective Licensing Scheme — Consultation Closed September 2025, Cabinet Decision Pending

Great Yarmouth held an 11-week public consultation on a proposed selective licensing scheme for approximately 5,000 properties, closing 1 September 2025. Results were to be submitted to Cabinet in Autumn 2025, with commencement targeted for spring/March 2026 if approved.

Read the original announcement →
SelectiveEffective: 1 April 2026

Selective Licensing Scheme — Live from 1 April 2026

Great Yarmouth's new Selective Licensing Scheme went live on 1 April 2026. Letting agents operating in the designated area were required to register with delivery partner Home Safe from that date, and the council hosted multiple landlord and agent workshops ahead of the launch.

Read the original announcement →

National mandatory HMO rules (apply everywhere in England)

Regardless of any Great Yarmouth-specific scheme, you also need to comply with the national mandatory HMO licensing rules under the Housing Act 2004:

  • 5 or more occupants from 2 or more separate households sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toilet → mandatory HMO licence required.
  • A household = single person, couple, or family unit. Unrelated sharers each count as a separate household.
  • Unlicensed HMOs face civil penalties up to £40,000 (raised from £30,000 on 1 May 2026) and Rent Repayment Orders of up to 2 years' rent.
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HMO licensing in Great Yarmouth — FAQ

Do I need an HMO licence in Great Yarmouth?
Possibly. On top of the national mandatory HMO licence, Great Yarmouth runs 1 additional or selective scheme that can require a licence for smaller HMOs or even single-household rentals. Check the scheme details above against your property's address.
Which property licensing schemes are active in Great Yarmouth?
Great Yarmouth currently has one scheme on our register: Selective Licensing Scheme — Live from 1 April 2026 (from 1 April 2026). Each can require a licence beyond the national mandatory HMO rules — check the scheme details and council links above against your property's address.
How many tenants make a property an HMO in Great Yarmouth?
The national test is the same across England: 5 or more occupants from 2 or more separate households sharing a kitchen, bathroom or toilet need a mandatory licence. Great Yarmouth's own scheme(s) can set a lower threshold — see the schemes listed above.
What's the penalty for an unlicensed HMO in Great Yarmouth?
Letting an unlicensed HMO in Great Yarmouth can mean a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence — the maximum rose from £30,000 on 1 May 2026 under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 — plus a Rent Repayment Order of up to 2 years' rent and a criminal record.
Where do I apply for an HMO licence in Great Yarmouth?
HMO licence applications in Great Yarmouth are handled by Great Yarmouth Borough Council. Use the official scheme links above for the current rules and the application route.

Referencing tenants for your Great Yarmouth HMO?

Licensed HMOs mean more tenants to vet. Start with RentFig's tenant reference form — free, no account needed — then run an optional credit check from £9 per tenant. Pay per check, no subscription.

Stay on top of HMO compliance with RentFig

RentFig tracks every HMO licence renewal alongside gas safety, EICR, EPC, fire alarm tests and right-to-rent checks. Email reminders, audit trail, AI assistant on WhatsApp. Free for one property.

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HMO licensing in other councils

Compare Great Yarmouth with other areas we track.

View all councils we track →

Disclaimer: This page is an indicative guide based on publicly announced Great Yarmouth schemes and the Housing Act 2004 standard test. It is not legal advice. Council schemes change frequently — always confirm the current position with Great Yarmouth Borough Council before letting or applying for a licence.