Do I need an HMO licence in Preston?

Preston is currently consulting on property licensing. For now only the national mandatory HMO licence applies — you need one if you let to 5 or more people from 2 or more households — but that may change if a scheme is confirmed.

How many tenants make a property an HMO in Preston?

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.

What's the penalty for an unlicensed HMO in Preston?

Letting an unlicensed HMO in Preston can mean a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence or prosecution (which can mean an unlimited fine and a criminal record) — a civil penalty is an alternative to prosecution, not an addition to it. The maximum penalty rose from £30,000 for offences from 1 May 2026, under the Financial Penalties (Housing Offences and Breach of Banning Orders) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/319), made under section 249A of the Housing Act 2004. Tenants (or the council) can also apply for a Rent Repayment Order of up to 2 years' rent for offences from 1 May 2026 (12 months before then).

How much is an HMO licence in Preston?

Preston City Council charges £882 for a first mandatory HMO licence on a 5-bedroom, 5-person HMO (standard fee, no discounts, 5-year licence), checked on the council's own fee schedule on 14 October 2026. Fees change, usually each April, so confirm with the council before you apply. See how this compares with other councils in our HMO licence fees index.

Where do I apply for an HMO licence in Preston?

HMO licence applications in Preston are handled by Preston City Council. Use the official scheme links above for the current rules and the application route.

Preston HMO licensing guide

Preston HMO licence — do you need one?

You need a mandatory HMO licence in Preston if 5 or more people from 2 or more households share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. Preston is consulting on extra licensing, but nothing is confirmed yet. Preston City Council's standard fee is £882 for a 5-bedroom, 5-person HMO. Apply to Preston City Council using the official links below.

Which licence do you need in Preston?

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 Preston
Selective licensingANY privately rented home in a designated area — including single-family letsNot in force in Preston

Preston has an open consultation on property licensing — the position above may change if a new scheme is confirmed.

Active and upcoming schemes

Sourced from Preston announcements and tracked by our weekly scanner. Last checked 22 October 2026. Always verify directly with the council before applying.

ConsultationEffective: Consultation open 27 July 2026, closes 11 October 2026

Proposed Selective Licensing Scheme — City Centre, St Matthew's & Plungington

Preston City Council launched a public consultation on 27 July 2026 proposing selective licensing across three wards: City Centre, St Matthew's and Plungington. If introduced, all private landlords in those wards would be required to obtain a licence (proposed fee £1,050 for five years) and comply with property management conditions.

Read the original announcement →

National mandatory HMO rules (apply everywhere in England)

Regardless of any Preston-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.
Letting an unlicensed HMO can mean a civil penalty of up to £40,000 (up from £30,000 for offences from 1 May 2026) or prosecution, plus a Rent Repayment Order of up to 2 years' rent for offences from 1 May 2026 (12 months before then).

Run the free HMO checker

Licence fee: £882 for a first mandatory HMO licence (5-bedroom, 5-person HMO, standard fee) — council source, checked 14 October 2026. Compare HMO licence fees across 71 councils

Manage the HMO in RentFig — rooms, licensing checks, certificates.

HMO licensing in Preston — FAQ

Do I need an HMO licence in Preston?: Preston is currently consulting on property licensing. For now only the national mandatory HMO licence applies — you need one if you let to 5 or more people from 2 or more households — but that may change if a scheme is confirmed.
How many tenants make a property an HMO in Preston?: 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.
What's the penalty for an unlicensed HMO in Preston?: Letting an unlicensed HMO in Preston can mean a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence or prosecution (which can mean an unlimited fine and a criminal record) — a civil penalty is an alternative to prosecution, not an addition to it. The maximum penalty rose from £30,000 for offences from 1 May 2026, under the Financial Penalties (Housing Offences and Breach of Banning Orders) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/319), made under section 249A of the Housing Act 2004. Tenants (or the council) can also apply for a Rent Repayment Order of up to 2 years' rent for offences from 1 May 2026 (12 months before then).
How much is an HMO licence in Preston?: Preston City Council charges £882 for a first mandatory HMO licence on a 5-bedroom, 5-person HMO (standard fee, no discounts, 5-year licence), checked on the council's own fee schedule on 14 October 2026. Fees change, usually each April, so confirm with the council before you apply. See how this compares with other councils in our HMO licence fees index.
Where do I apply for an HMO licence in Preston?: HMO licence applications in Preston are handled by Preston City Council. Use the official scheme links above for the current rules and the application route.

Referencing tenants for your Preston HMO?

Licensed HMOs mean more tenants to vet. Start with RentFig's tenant referencing form — free, no account needed — then run tenant referencing from £9 per tenant: a credit check, or a £19 full reference with Right to Rent. 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 Preston with other areas we track.

View all councils we track →

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