Nottingham HMO licensing guide

HMO licence in Nottingham — do I need one?

Nottingham 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.

Active and upcoming schemes

Sourced from Nottingham announcements and tracked by our weekly scanner. Always verify directly with the council before applying.

SelectiveEffective: 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2029

Nottingham Selective Licensing Scheme (20 wards)

Selective licensing covering all privately rented properties in 20 of Nottingham's wards — around 30,000 homes. Standard fee £887 per property, reduced to £665 for landlords accredited via DASH, Unipol or ANUK. New fees apply from 1 April 2026.

Read the original announcement →

National mandatory HMO rules (apply everywhere in England)

Regardless of any Nottingham-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 £30,000, Rent Repayment Orders (up to 12 months' rent).
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Disclaimer: This page is an indicative guide based on publicly announced Nottingham schemes and the Housing Act 2004 standard test. It is not legal advice. Council schemes change frequently — always confirm the current position with Nottingham City Council before letting or applying for a licence.