HMO licensing in Brighton & Hove: additional & selective licensing
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against Brighton & Hove City Council's own published pages on the date above
Brighton & Hove runs a citywide additional HMO licensing scheme covering all 23 wards, in force since 1 July 2024 for 5 years, requiring a licence for HMOs of 2 or more storeys with 3 or 4 occupiers (Brighton & Hove City Council, checked 23 August 2026).
The city also runs a citywide selective licensing scheme, covering all privately rented properties regardless of occupant or household numbers, from 2 September 2024 to 1 September 2029.
Short on time?Let us prepare your Brighton & Hove HMO application - fixed fee, and we always show you the free official route first.
Get it done for you →This page sets out Brighton & Hove's own published schemes - for the wider system, see our HMO & landlord licensing hub, and for who needs a licence nationally, see do I need an HMO licence?
This is general information sourced from Brighton & Hove City Council's own website, not legal advice - always confirm current fees and scheme details with the council directly before you apply.
What's different about HMO licensing in Brighton & Hove?
Brighton & Hove's additional licensing scheme is its second: an earlier 5-year term ended in 2023 after covering around 1,900 HMOs, and a new citywide scheme for 2+ storey, 3-4 occupier HMOs opened for applications from 1 July 2024 (Brighton & Hove City Council, checked 23 August 2026).
Its selective licensing scheme, live since 2 September 2024, is unusually broad - it covers every privately rented property in the city, not just HMOs and not just specific wards, making it one of the most comprehensive selective schemes outside London.
What does an HMO licence cost in Brighton & Hove?
Fees for both schemes are reported in ranges by secondary sources rather than a single confirmed figure on the pages reviewed this pass (Brighton & Hove City Council, checked 23 August 2026) - always confirm the exact figure for your property directly with the council.
These are approximate ranges, not confirmed exact figures. Confirm the current fee on Brighton & Hove City Council's own website →
✓ Checked against Brighton & Hove City Council, 23 August 2026
Does Brighton & Hove run additional or selective licensing?
| Scheme | Status in Brighton & Hove |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licensing | Citywide, applies to every large HMO (5+ occupants, 2+ households) |
| Additional licensing | All 23 wards, live since 1 July 2024 for 5 years, covers 2+ storey HMOs with 3-4 occupiers |
| Selective licensing | Citywide, live 2 September 2024 to 1 September 2029, covers all privately rented properties |
With both schemes running citywide, almost every privately rented property in Brighton & Hove now needs some form of licence.
How do you apply for an HMO licence in Brighton & Hove?
You apply through Brighton & Hove City Council's own website, which covers mandatory, additional and selective applications (Brighton & Hove City Council, checked 23 August 2026).
- Check whether your property is 2+ storeys with 3-4 occupiers for additional licensing, or simply privately rented for selective licensing - almost all properties qualify for one or the other.
- Gather your property details - room sizes, occupant and household numbers, gas and electrical safety certificates.
- Apply online through the council's property licensing pages.
- Pay the fee for your licence type.
- Receive your licence, valid for 5 years.
How long does a Brighton & Hove HMO licence take?
Brighton & Hove City Council's pages reviewed for this guide didn't set out a fixed processing timescale (checked 23 August 2026), though both additional and selective licences run for 5 years once granted - confirm current turnaround with the council's private housing team.
Frequently asked questions
Does Brighton & Hove have additional HMO licensing?
Yes - a citywide scheme covering all 23 wards has been live since 1 July 2024 for 5 years, requiring a licence for 2+ storey HMOs with 3 or 4 occupiers.
Does Brighton & Hove selective licensing cover every rented property?
Yes - the scheme running 2 September 2024 to 1 September 2029 covers all privately rented properties citywide, regardless of occupant or household numbers.
How much does a Brighton & Hove HMO licence cost?
Reported in the region of £900-£1,500+ for additional licences depending on property size, and £500-£750 for selective licences - confirm the exact current figure with the council.
Where do I apply for a Brighton & Hove property licence?
Directly through Brighton & Hove City Council's own website, which handles mandatory, additional and selective applications.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Brighton & Hove City Council, GOV.UK or any government body. This page is general information, not legal advice - for anything specific to your property, contact Brighton & Hove City Council's private housing team directly.