HMO Fee Checker

HMO licence fee in Southampton — 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

£953

Renewal: £953 · Typical licence length: Up to 5 years (national maximum) · Fee basis: two-stage (timeliness tiers)

How the Southampton fee is charged

Fees from 1 October 2025: standard timely/compliant application Stage 1 £300 + Stage 2 £653 = £953; independent-surveyor route £300+£336=£636; late application £300+£1,318=£1,618. ANUK-accredited large student accommodation gets 50% reduction.

The baseline figure above is the total for a 5-bedroom / 5-letting / 5-occupant HMO — the size at which the national mandatory licensing duty starts. Larger properties can cost more where the council bands by rooms, lettings or occupants (see the breakdown above).

The exact wording on the source

“HMO licence fees applicable from 1 October 2025 ... Landlord Independent HMO Surveyor rate £300 £336 £636; Standard fee for timely & compliant applications £300 £653 £953; Late fee £300 £1,318 £1,618.”

Southampton licensing at a glance

Metric (LAHS 2024/25, MHCLG)Count
Estimated HMOs in Southampton6,000
Estimated mandatory-licensable HMOs2,300
Mandatory licences issued (2024/25)2,115
England-wide HMO count rank#17

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)

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