HMO licence fee in Kensington and Chelsea — what a 5-bed HMO costs to licence
Fee checked at the council's own page/PDF on 2026-10-12
New licence — baseline 5-bed / 5-letting HMO
£1,493
Renewal: Not stated separately · Typical licence length: Up to 5 years (national maximum) · Fee basis: two-part + per-room above 5
How the Kensington and Chelsea fee is charged
Part A £1,004 + Part B £489 = £1,493 for a property of up to 5 units; +£72 per additional room. £200 discount for accredited landlords; £30 reduction per application when 3+ applications with same landlord/agent.
The exact wording on the source
“an additional fee of £72 per room is charged ... The fees are as follows: Part A: £1004 Part B: £489 Additional Room Fee: £72 per additional room ... A £200 reduction will be available to any landlord who is accredited.”
Kensington and Chelsea licensing at a glance
| Metric (LAHS 2024/25, MHCLG) | Count |
|---|---|
| Estimated HMOs in Kensington and Chelsea | 8,244 |
| Estimated mandatory-licensable HMOs | 900 |
| Mandatory licences issued (2024/25) | 166 |
| England-wide HMO count rank | #10 |
- Additional HMO licensing: yes — this council runs extra designated areas beyond the national mandatory scheme.
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)