Does my rental property need a landlord licence?

Whether your property needs a licence depends on where it is located and how it is used. All HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) with 5 or more occupants require a mandatory licence. Many councils also operate selective licensing schemes covering all private rented properties in a defined area, and additional licensing schemes for smaller HMOs. Use the Tuxa checker to instantly find out if your property is in a licensing area.

What is selective licensing?

Selective licensing is a scheme introduced under the Housing Act 2004 that allows local councils to require all private landlords in a designated area to obtain a licence, regardless of the property type or number of occupants. Councils use selective licensing to tackle problems such as anti-social behaviour, low housing demand, or poor property conditions. Failure to obtain a licence can result in a fine of up to £30,000 or a rent repayment order.

What is additional licensing?

Additional licensing extends HMO licensing beyond the mandatory national standard. Councils can designate areas where smaller HMOs (typically those with 3 or more occupants forming two or more households) must also be licensed. Additional licensing schemes are common in university cities and areas with high concentrations of shared housing.

What happens if I rent a property without a licence?

Renting a property without the required licence is a criminal offence. Landlords can face an unlimited fine in court, or a civil penalty of up to £30,000 issued by the council. Tenants can also apply for a Rent Repayment Order, which can require the landlord to repay up to 12 months of rent. Unlicensed landlords cannot serve a valid Section 21 notice to regain possession of their property.

How do I find out if my area has a selective licensing scheme?

The quickest way is to use the Tuxa property licence checker. Enter any UK address or postcode and Tuxa will instantly check against all 361 UK councils to show whether the property is in a selective, additional or mandatory HMO licensing area. Results are free to view.

What property licensing schemes are currently in operation in Nottingham?

Nottingham City Council operates three distinct property licensing schemes: Mandatory HMO licensing for larger Houses in Multiple Occupation, Additional HMO licensing for smaller HMOs, and Selective Licensing which applies to most private rented properties that are not HMOs. The renewed Selective Licensing scheme became active on 1 December 2023.

Which areas of Nottingham are covered by Selective Licensing?

Nottingham City Council's Selective Licensing scheme covers a significant portion of the city, encompassing approximately 30,000 privately rented homes. Landlords should use the council's online checker to confirm if their specific property falls within a designated Selective Licensing area, as the scheme applies to most non-HMO private rented properties.

How much does it cost to apply for a property licence in Nottingham?

The standard fee for a Selective Licence in Nottingham is £887 per property. There may be reduced rates available for certain circumstances, which landlords should investigate directly with Nottingham City Council. Fees for Mandatory and Additional HMO licenses will vary and are also available from the council.

What is the application process for obtaining a property licence in Nottingham?

Landlords in Nottingham are required to apply for property licences through the Nottingham City Council's official portal. The application typically involves providing details about the property, the landlord, and demonstrating compliance with various safety and management standards. It is advisable to gather all necessary documentation before starting the application.

What are the consequences for landlords who do not comply with Nottingham's property licensing requirements?

Failure to obtain a required property licence in Nottingham can lead to significant penalties. These may include unlimited fines, rent repayment orders, and restrictions on regaining possession of the property. Landlords should ensure full compliance to avoid legal action and financial repercussions.

Selective Licensing in Nottingham: Schemes, Fees and Dates

Rental Property Licensing in Nottingham

Nottingham has one of the highest proportions of privately rented housing of any city in England, with 45% of households in the private rented sector (2021 Census). Nottingham City Council operates a city-wide additional HMO licensing scheme that has been in force since January 2024. The council has also been at the forefront of enforcement, winning a nationally significant Court of Appeal case in February 2026 that strengthened HMO licensing laws across England.

Additional HMO Licensing in Nottingham (from January 2024)

Nottingham City Council's city-wide additional licensing scheme applies to all HMOs occupied by three or more unrelated people forming two or more households who share facilities. This means virtually all shared houses in Nottingham require a licence, regardless of the number of occupants.

Mandatory HMO Licensing (nationwide): Properties with 5 or more occupants from 2 or more households.

Additional HMO Licensing (Nottingham city-wide, from January 2024): Properties with 3 or more occupants from 2 or more households.

Nottingham does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme for non-HMO properties.

Landmark Court of Appeal Ruling (February 2026)

Nottingham City Council won a nationally significant housing case at the Court of Appeal in February 2026, strengthening enforcement of HMO licensing laws across England. The ruling clarified councils' powers to enforce licensing requirements and was described by the council as a major victory for housing standards. Read the Local Government Lawyer coverage.

Enforcement in Nottingham

Nottingham City Council has been highly active in enforcement:

A landlord couple ordered to pay over £170,000 after 14 defects were found in two properties (August 2025).

A letting agent fined £15,000 for managing unlicensed HMOs (February 2025).

A landlord fined £32,000 for breaching health and safety legislation (November 2025).

The council adopted new powers with maximum penalties up to £150,000 for commercial landlords (October 2025).

Read the My Nottingham News coverage of the Court of Appeal win.

Official Resources

Nottingham City Council: Licensing for landlords

Nottingham City Council: Investigating housing offences

Nottingham City Council: Housing Strategy

ONS: Housing data for Nottingham

EMPO (East Midlands Property Owners)

Nottingham Landlords and Property Investors (Facebook Group)

Property Investors Network Nottingham

Stay Informed

Nottingham City Council: @MyNottingham | Facebook

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This page was researched and written by the Tuxa editorial team. Our data is sourced directly from local authority websites, MHCLG scheme designation orders, and the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA). We update our content when councils announce new schemes or enforcement actions. If you spot an error or out-of-date information, please contact us.

Last reviewed: March 2026

Licensing Fees in Nottingham

Nottingham City Council charges the following fees for property licences:

Additional HMO licence (5 years): £1,100 per property

Mandatory HMO licence (5 years): £1,100 per property

Nottingham does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme. The council's licensing focus is on HMOs through its city-wide additional licensing scheme, which has been in force since January 2024.

Boundary and Ward Context

Nottingham City Council's additional HMO licensing scheme is city-wide, covering all wards of the city. This means that any HMO in Nottingham with 3 or more occupants from 2 or more households requires an additional licence, regardless of its location within the city.

Wards with the highest concentrations of licensed HMOs include Arboretum, Lenton and Wollaton East, Hyson Green and Arboretum, and Radford. These areas are close to the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University and have some of the highest proportions of shared housing in the East Midlands.

Key postcodes in Nottingham's HMO licensing areas: NG1, NG7, NG8, NG9.

How to Apply for a Licence in Nottingham

Applications for HMO licences in Nottingham are made through Nottingham City Council's online portal:

1. Confirm your property meets the HMO definition (3 or more occupants from 2 or more households)

2. Register on the Nottingham City Council licensing portal

3. Complete the application form with property details, room sizes, and management information

4. Provide required safety certificates: gas safety certificate, EICR, and EPC

5. Pay the application fee

6. Await a property inspection

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my Nottingham rental property need a licence?

If your property is an HMO with 3 or more occupants from 2 or more households, it requires an additional HMO licence from Nottingham City Council. Larger HMOs with 5 or more occupants also require a mandatory HMO licence.

How do I apply for a Nottingham HMO licence?

Applications are made online through Nottingham City Council's licensing portal. You will need a valid gas safety certificate, EICR, and EPC. The council may inspect the property before granting the licence.

What are the penalties for renting an unlicensed HMO in Nottingham?

Nottingham City Council can issue civil penalties of up to £30,000 per unlicensed property. Tenants can apply for a Rent Repayment Order. Nottingham has been one of the most active enforcement authorities in England, winning a landmark Court of Appeal case in 2024 that upheld its city-wide additional licensing scheme.

How long does a Nottingham HMO licence last?

Nottingham City Council typically grants HMO licences for five years.

Last reviewed: March 2026. Source: Nottingham City Council housing licensing pages; Housing Act 2004.

Related Guides

What Is Selective Licensing? A Complete Guide for UK Landlords

Selective vs Additional Licensing: What Is the Difference?

Rental Licensing Fines: What UK Landlords Need to Know

How to Stay Compliant with HMO Licensing

Active licensing consultations and upcoming scheme changes

Selective Licensing in Nottingham: Schemes, Fees and Dates

Rental Property Licensing in Nottingham

Additional HMO Licensing in Nottingham (from January 2024)

Landmark Court of Appeal Ruling (February 2026)

Enforcement in Nottingham

Official Resources

Stay Informed

Licensing Fees in Nottingham

Boundary and Ward Context

How to Apply for a Licence in Nottingham

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Guides

Quick facts

Frequently asked questions

Check your property in Nottingham City Council

Licensing guides

Does my rental property need a licence?

What is selective licensing?

What is HMO licensing?

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