HMO licence fee in Bristol — what a 5-bed HMO costs to licence
Fee last read from the council page on 2026-09-05 via landlordtaxlab.co.uk, re-confirmed present on 2026-10-12
New licence — baseline 5-bed / 5-letting HMO
£1,886
Renewal: £1,564 · Typical licence length: 5 years · Fee basis: two-part
How the Bristol fee is charged
New: £1,886 (£1,121 payment one + £765 payment two). Renewal: £1,564 (£929 + £635). £150 discounts/refunds for Rent with Confidence accreditation and early certificate supply.
The exact wording on the source
“The fee for a new licence is £1,886. This is split into: £1,121 for payment one, £765 for payment two. The licence lasts for 5 years. ... The renewal fee is £1,564.”
Bristol licensing at a glance
| Metric (LAHS 2024/25, MHCLG) | Count |
|---|---|
| Estimated HMOs in Bristol | 13,349 |
| Estimated mandatory-licensable HMOs | 5,300 |
| Mandatory licences issued (2024/25) | 3,668 |
| England-wide HMO count rank | #3 |
- Additional HMO licensing: yes — this council runs extra designated areas beyond the national mandatory scheme.
- Selective licensing: yes — some or all private rented property in the borough needs a licence regardless of HMO status.
Do you need a licence at all?
A licence is required for a large HMO: rented to 5+ people forming more than 1 household, sharing toilet/bathroom/kitchen, at least 1 tenant paying rent. Licence valid max 5 years; separate licence per HMO. (GOV.UK, checked 2026-10-12)