HMO licence fee in Portsmouth — 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
£1,257
Renewal: £1,191 · Typical licence length: 5 years · Fee basis: per-bedroom formula above 5 rooms
How the Portsmouth fee is charged
5-year new (5 rooms or fewer): Part 1 £314 + Part 2 £943 = £1,257; above 5 rooms Part 2 = (rooms−5)×£60 + £943. 5-year renewal: £206 + £985 = £1,191. Shorter licences cost more (1-year new Part 2 £1,429+).
The exact wording on the source
“New application – 5 year licence: Part 1 £314, Part 2 (5 bed or fewer) £943 => total £1,257 ... Licence renewal – 5 years: Part 1 £206, Part 2 £985 (5 bed or fewer, total £1,191).”
Portsmouth licensing at a glance
| Metric (LAHS 2024/25, MHCLG) | Count |
|---|---|
| Estimated HMOs in Portsmouth | 6,000 |
| Estimated mandatory-licensable HMOs | 1,300 |
| Mandatory licences issued (2024/25) | 1,194 |
| England-wide HMO count rank | #18 |
- 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)