Do I need an HMO licence in Portsmouth? (2026)
Last updated 2026-06-20
In Portsmouth, an HMO licence is required where a property is let to 5 or more people forming 2 or more separate households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. Portsmouth operates Mandatory, Additional licensing, which can require a licence for smaller shared homes below the mandatory threshold. The council fee is £1,257, paid directly to Portsmouth. Get HMO Licence completes and submits the whole application for £599.
Check & start my Portsmouth application — £599
- Licence needed?
- Yes, where a property is let to 5 or more people forming 2 or more separate households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet
- Schemes in operation
- Mandatory, Additional licensing
- Council fee
- £1,257
- Processing time
- check with Portsmouth
- Article 4
- check with Portsmouth
How much does an HMO licence cost in Portsmouth?
The council fee for an HMO licence in Portsmouth is £1,257, with our done-for-you service at £599.
The Portsmouth fee scales by bedroom count. Give us your bedroom count for an exact figure.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Council fee — on application (Part A) | £314 |
| Council fee — on grant (Part B) | £943 |
| Council fee — total (paid to the council) | £1,257 |
| Get HMO Licence — we do it for you | £599 |
| Measured floor plan where the council requires a scaled plan | Price on request |
| Fire risk assessment where required for the licence | Price on request |
Verified 2026-06-20
The council’s own fee is paid directly to the council — we add no markup.
Scheme types in Portsmouth
- Mandatory HMO licensing applies to larger HMOs (5 or more people forming 2 or more separate households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet).
- Portsmouth operates additional licensing, which can cover smaller HMOs.
Article 4 directions in Portsmouth
Article 4 status — check with Portsmouth.
Local rules in Portsmouth
- Mandatory 5-bed new 5-year licence £1,257 (Part 1 £314 + Part 2 £943); +£60 per bedroom above 5. Fees effective 1 April 2026.
- Additional licensing (3-4 occupants) in force, flat £886; plus Section 257 licensing for converted blocks. No selective scheme.
- Shorter licence terms (1yr/2.5yr) cost more; Part 2 due within 14 days of Notice of Intention to Grant.
How long does it take in Portsmouth?
Portsmouth does not publish a standard processing time — we confirm the current timescale with Portsmouth when we submit your application.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an HMO licence in Portsmouth?
The council fee for an HMO licence in Portsmouth is £1,257. Get HMO Licence completes and submits the application for £599.
How long does an HMO licence take in Portsmouth?
Portsmouth does not publish a standard processing time — we confirm the current timescale with Portsmouth when we submit your application.
Does Portsmouth have additional or selective licensing?
Portsmouth operates Mandatory, Additional licensing, so smaller shared homes can also need a licence.
Can Get HMO Licence apply for my Portsmouth HMO licence for me?
Yes. Get HMO Licence completes and submits your Portsmouth HMO licence application for £599, with the council fee paid directly to Portsmouth.
Renting a shared home in Portsmouth? You may need an HMO licence.
Operating an unlicensed HMO risks a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence, plus a Rent Repayment Order of up to 24 months’ rent (Renters' Rights Act 2025).
We handle the whole application for £599.
Doing it yourself is the best part of a day — chasing certificates and decoding your council’s forms. We give you that day back: about five minutes from you, and we handle the rest.
Start my Portsmouth application — £599What you get
- Your day back — about five minutes of input from you, not a day of paperwork
- We complete and submit the full application to your council
- All the right forms for your council’s scheme
- A document checklist so nothing is missed
- A specialist review before submission
- Email support throughout
The council’s own fee (around £1,257) is paid directly to the council — no markup.
If we make an error that gets your application rejected as incomplete, we fix it free. We can never guarantee a licence. That decision is the council’s.
Secure payment via Stripe.
Prefer we call you and take it from here?
Leave your details — no payment to enquire — and we’ll confirm Portsmouth’s scheme and handle the whole application for you.
Prefer to DIY? Portsmouth HMO register →