Woking HMO licensing guide

HMO licence in Woking — do I need one?

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

Additional HMOEffective: January 2026

Woking Borough-Wide Additional HMO Licensing Scheme

Woking Borough Council launched a new additional HMO licensing scheme from 5 January 2026, covering smaller HMOs (3+ people from 2+ households sharing facilities) that fall below the mandatory licensing threshold.

Read the original announcement →

National mandatory HMO rules (apply everywhere in England)

Regardless of any Woking-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 Woking schemes and the Housing Act 2004 standard test. It is not legal advice. Council schemes change frequently — always confirm the current position with Woking Borough Council before letting or applying for a licence.