A property must be licensed under the mandatory licensing scheme if it has:
- 5 or more occupants (who comprise two or more separate family units or ‘Households’)
- Shared amenities such as bathroom, kitchen, or toilet facilities or where all the units of accommodation are not fully self-contained (i.e. although a kitchen, bathroom or WC are provided for the tenant’s use elsewhere in the building, they are not actually situated within their unit of accommodation.)
If the above apply and the premises is not exempted on other grounds (see ‘House in Multiple Occupation’) then the property must have a Mandatory HMO Licence.
Click here to apply for a licence or go to https://housinglicensing.sefton.gov.uk/
Mandatory Licensing NEW
The full list of fees is shown in the table below. Landlords may apply for a reduced level of fee and can choose one discount from either having their property accredited, where the licence holder is a Sefton accredited managing agent.
Fees from 1st April 2023
|
Mandatory Licensing (NEW) |
£ |
£ Annual Equivalent |
£ Weekly Equivalent |
|
Full Fee |
950 |
190 |
3.65 |
|
Accreditation |
800 |
160 |
3.08 |
|
Accredited Managing Agent (licence holder) |
750 |
150 |
2.88 |
In addition to the above fee: for each additional unit (under the control of the same proposed licence holder, within the same building) a charge of £30 per additional unit will apply.
|
For example: |
£ Additional charge |
£ Total Licence Fee |
|
4 self-contained flats or bedsits within one property |
950 + (3 x 30) |
1040 |
|
8 self-contained flats in one building: 6 flats are privately rented 2 are owner occupied |
950 + (5 x 30) |
1100 |
|
Building containing 20 self-contained flats (Section 257 HMO), freeholder is the proposed licence holder 15 flats privately rented (all different leaseholders) 5 are owner occupied (not licensable) |
950 + (14 x 30) |
1370 |
Do I pay up front?
You will be required to pay £250 on application for each property. The balance after allowing for any reduced fees will be requested on production of draft licence.
Mandatory Licensing RENEWAL
Fees from 1st April 2023
|
Mandatory (RENEWAL) |
£ |
£ Annual Equivalent |
£ Weekly Equivalent |
|
Full Fee |
900 |
180 |
3.46 |
|
Accreditation |
750 |
150 |
2.88 |
|
Accredited Managing Agent (licence holder) |
700 |
140 |
2.69 |
In addition to the above fee: for each additional unit (under the control of the same proposed licence holder, within the same building) a charge of £30 per additional unit will apply.
|
For example: |
£ Additional charge |
£ Total Licence Fee |
|
4 self-contained flats or bedsits within one property |
900 + (3 x 30) |
990 |
|
8 self-contained flats in one building: 6 flats are privately rented 2 are owner occupied |
900 + (5 x 30) |
1050 |
|
Building containing 20 self-contained flats (Section 257 HMO), freeholder is the proposed licence holder 15 flats privately rented (all different leaseholders) 5 are owner occupied (not licensable) |
900 + (14 x 30) |
1320 |
Do I pay up front?
You will be required to pay £250 on application for each property. The balance after allowing for any reduced fees will be requested on production of draft licence.
Refunds
We would only give a refund for a property licence if an application was made by mistake.
Situations considered to be a mistake are if:
- the property is outside the designated area
- a duplicate application has been made
- an application was made for an exempted property.
We will not give a refund if:
- We refuse your application
- You withdraw your application
- We revoke your licence
- You are refused planning permission for works required to your property
- If you cancel your licence
No repayment of the licence fee will be made to the existing licence holder (or applicant) for any unexpired period of the licence since licence fees are not connected to the length of a licence so if you cancel your licence before it expires (for example, if you sell your property), we cannot give you a refund.
It is an offence if the landlord or person in control of the property:
- fails to apply for a licence for a licensable property, or
- allows a property to be occupied by more people than is permitted under the licence
A fine of any amount may be imposed. In addition, breaking any of the licence conditions can result in fines of any amount per offence.
Click here for a list of mandatory HMO frequently asked questions
In order to grant a licence we must be satisfied that:
- The proposed licence holder is a ‘fit & proper’ person and the most appropriate person to hold the licence
- Proper management standards are being applied at the property
- The HMO is reasonably suitable (or can be made suitable) for occupation by the number of tenants allowed under the licence with at least the minimum prescribed standards of amenities and facilities. These include the number, type and quality of shared bathrooms, toilets and cooking facilities.
A Landlords guide to dealing with Anti-Social behaviour is available to access here.
If you know a property that is not licensed, please contact Sefton Council.