Do I need an HMO licence in St Albans?

St Albans doesn't run an additional or selective licensing scheme, so only the national mandatory HMO licence applies: you need one if you let to 5 or more people forming 2 or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet.

How many tenants make a property an HMO in St Albans?

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 St Albans?

Letting an unlicensed HMO in St Albans 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 St Albans?

St Albans City and District Council charges £1,035 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 10 November 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 St Albans?

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

St Albans HMO licensing guide

St Albans HMO licence — do you need one?

You need a mandatory HMO licence in St Albans if 5 or more people from 2 or more households share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. St Albans runs no additional or selective scheme on top. St Albans City and District Council's standard fee is £1,035 for a 5-bedroom, 5-person HMO. Apply to St Albans City and District Council using the official links below.

Which licence do you need in St Albans?

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

Licensing status in St Albans

Sourced from St Albans announcements and tracked by our weekly scanner. Last checked 12 November 2026. Always verify directly with the council before applying.

Mandatory only

Mandatory HMO licensing only — no additional or selective scheme

Checked 2026-11-05: the council's own pages show no additional or selective licensing scheme; only national mandatory HMO licensing applies.

Read the original announcement →

National mandatory HMO rules (apply everywhere in England)

Regardless of any St Albans-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: £1,035 for a first mandatory HMO licence (5-bedroom, 5-person HMO, standard fee) — council source, checked 10 November 2026. Compare HMO licence fees across 218 councils

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

HMO licensing in St Albans — FAQ

Do I need an HMO licence in St Albans?: St Albans doesn't run an additional or selective licensing scheme, so only the national mandatory HMO licence applies: you need one if you let to 5 or more people forming 2 or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet.
How many tenants make a property an HMO in St Albans?: 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 St Albans?: Letting an unlicensed HMO in St Albans 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 St Albans?: St Albans City and District Council charges £1,035 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 10 November 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 St Albans?: HMO licence applications in St Albans are handled by St Albans City and District Council. Use the official scheme links above for the current rules and the application route.

Referencing tenants for your St Albans HMO?

Licensed HMOs mean more tenants to vet. Start with RentFig's tenant reference 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.

Start free See features

HMO licensing in other councils

Compare St Albans with other areas we track.

View all councils we track →

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