Apply for a HMO Licence
How much does the licence cost?
The fee for a HMO Licence is split into two parts, A and B.
New applications:
- Part A: £318.18
- Part B: £428.74
Renewal of an existing licence:
- Part A: £235.12
- Part B: £343.12
Part A is payable upon submitting your application, with payment for Part B being requested once we have verified your application.
How to apply
Similarly to the fees, the HMO application process is split into two parts. After completion of your initial application form, your submission will be checked by a Private Sector Housing Officer. You will be notified of the check’s outcome via email.
Once notification has been sent, you’ll be invited to complete the second part of your application which includes payment of Part B of the licence fee.
We have a HMO Licencing guide with some further information, or read our HMO Licencing Policy.
You can apply for or renew your licence using our online form below.
Further information
We are under a duty to take over the management of any properties which cannot be licensed, either because of their condition or because the manager is not a fit and proper person, by making firstly an Interim and then a Final Management Order. The Final Management Order can last for a period of up to 5 years. The owner of the property has a right to appeal to a Residential Property Tribunal against the decision of the council to make a Management Order.
The effect of the Management Order is to allow us to step into the role of the manager to bring the property up to standard. We must keep accounts for the property and pay back to the owner any excess of income over expenditure. Equally, where the rent payments do not meet the cost of works needed to maintain the property then the difference can be reclaimed from the owner.
Relevant Legislation
- Housing Act 2004
- The Licensing and Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation and Other Houses (Miscellaneous Provisions) (England) Regulations 2006
- The Licensing of House in Multiple Occupation (Prescribed Description) (England) Order 2018
- Temporary exemption notice (TEN) Section 62, Housing Act 2004
A TEN suspends the requirement for a licence because the owner has notified us that they are currently taking steps to change the way the house in multiple occupation (HMO) is occupied. This could be, for example, where they are seeking planning permission to convert the HMO into a single-family dwelling or the property has been put up for sale.
A temporary exemption is only temporary and can last for no more than 3 months. A TEN will exempt the property from licensing during this time. In rare circumstances we may be able to extend this for a further 3 months, following which there is no power to further exempt the premises and the property must be licensed.
Apply for a Temporary Exemption Notice via hmo@gravesham.gov.uk There is no fee payable for a Temporary Exemption Notice application.
Applications are made under the relevant legislations and it is a condition of the licence to abide by those legislations above. The Act regulates to make provision about housing conditions; to regulate houses in multiple occupation and certain other residential accommodation.