What is additional licensing?
Additional licensing is a discretionary power that allows councils to require licences for HMOs that fall below the national mandatory licensing threshold. It is introduced under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004 and is particularly common in university cities and areas with high concentrations of shared housing.
How additional licensing differs from mandatory licensing
Mandatory HMO licensing applies nationally to properties with five or more occupants. Additional licensing extends this requirement to smaller HMOs — typically those with three or four occupants — in designated areas. Unlike mandatory licensing, additional licensing is not automatic; it only applies if your council has designated an area and your property falls within it.
Where additional licensing is most common
Additional licensing schemes are most prevalent in areas with large student populations, such as Leeds, Nottingham, Bristol, Liverpool and Manchester. Councils in these areas have used additional licensing to improve standards in the private rented sector and address issues such as poor fire safety and inadequate management of shared houses.
Applying for an additional licence
The application process for an additional licence is the same as for a mandatory HMO licence. You apply to your local council, pay a fee, and must demonstrate that the property meets the required standards and that you are a fit and proper person to hold a licence. The council will inspect the property and may impose conditions as part of the licence.
Checking whether your property needs an additional licence
Because additional licensing is area-specific, the only reliable way to check is to look up your property's exact location against the boundaries of active additional licensing designations. Tuxa does this automatically — enter your address and the results will show whether an additional licensing scheme applies.
Frequently asked questions
Can a property need both selective and additional licensing?
No. A property cannot be subject to both selective licensing and additional licensing simultaneously. However, a property that requires an additional licence because it is an HMO may also be in an area where non-HMO properties require a selective licence. In practice, if your property is an HMO in a selective licensing area, you will need an HMO licence (mandatory or additional) rather than a selective licence.
How long does an additional licence last?
Additional licences are typically issued for up to five years, the same as mandatory HMO licences. The exact duration depends on the council and the condition of the property.