Rental Property Licensing in Bristol

Bristol operates selective licensing schemes in specific wards and additional HMO licensing across the city. If you own a rental property in Bristol, here is what applies to you.

Selective licensing in Bristol

Bristol City Council has introduced selective licensing schemes in several wards. The current schemes cover Bishopston and Ashley Down, Cotham, and Easton. Within these areas, most privately rented properties need a selective licence, including properties rented to a single household.

The council has the power to extend selective licensing to other wards, so it is worth checking regularly whether your property's area has been added to the scheme.

Additional licensing for HMOs

Bristol also operates an additional licensing scheme for smaller HMOs. This covers properties occupied by three or four people from two or more separate households who share facilities. The additional scheme runs alongside selective licensing, so a property in one of the selective licensing wards may need to consider both.

Mandatory HMO licensing

Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Bristol, as it does across all of England, for properties with five or more tenants from two or more households sharing facilities.

What happens if you do not have a licence

Operating a licensable property without a licence in Bristol can result in a civil penalty of up to £30,000. Tenants may also be able to apply for a Rent Repayment Order.

How to check if your property needs a licence

Use Tuxa to check any address in Bristol instantly. You can also visit the Bristol City Council website and use their property licence checker.

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Tuxa monitors licensing scheme data across England. Use the search above to check any property in Bristol or anywhere else in the country.