HMO licensing in Cambridge: fees, additional licensing and how to apply
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against Cambridge City Council's own published pages on the date above
A Cambridge HMO licence costs £1,133 for applications made between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027 (Cambridge City Council, checked 23 August 2026).
Renew at least 8 weeks before your current licence expires and the fee drops to £1,000; an early, full renewal submission can bring it down further, to £603. Cambridge's additional licensing scheme has run since 2019 and covers 3-4 person HMOs, below the mandatory 5-person threshold, and was renewed for a further 5 years from 2024.
Short on time?Let us prepare your Cambridge HMO application - fixed fee, and we always show you the free official route first.
Get it done for you →This page sets out Cambridge's own published fees and 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 Cambridge 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 Cambridge?
Cambridge's additional licensing scheme has been running since 2019 - considerably longer than most councils' schemes - and was renewed for a further 5 years from 2024, catching HMOs occupied by 3 or 4 unrelated people forming 2 or more households, below the national mandatory 5-person threshold (Cambridge City Council, checked 23 August 2026).
Cambridge also rewards early renewal heavily: applying at least 8 weeks before your current licence expires cuts the fee from £1,133 to £1,000, and Cambridge's own property accreditation scheme brings a further discount on top.
What does an HMO licence cost in Cambridge?
Cambridge's fee schedule for 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 rewards early and full renewal applications (Cambridge City Council, checked 23 August 2026).
Landlords in Cambridge's property accreditation scheme receive a further discount where applicable. Read Cambridge City Council's HMO licensing page →
✓ Checked against Cambridge City Council, 23 August 2026
Does Cambridge run additional or selective licensing?
| Scheme | Status in Cambridge |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licensing | Citywide, applies to every large HMO (5+ occupants, 2+ households) |
| Additional licensing | Running since 2019, renewed for a further 5 years from 2024 - covers 3-4 person HMOs |
| Selective licensing | Not the focus of this research pass - confirm current position with the council |
Because Cambridge's additional scheme reaches down to 3 occupants, most shared student and young-professional houses in the city need a licence, not just larger HMOs.
How do you apply for an HMO licence in Cambridge?
You apply directly to Cambridge City Council, with the correct fee due at the same time as your application (Cambridge City Council, checked 23 August 2026).
- Check your occupant and household numbers against Cambridge's 3-person additional licensing threshold.
- Consider accreditation before applying, since it can reduce your fee.
- Complete the application form with your property and safety certificate details.
- Pay the correct fee - by BACS transfer, with email notification, or in person at Mandela House with a credit/debit card.
- Renew at least 8 weeks before expiry to secure the lower renewal fee.
How long does a Cambridge HMO licence take?
Cambridge City Council's pages reviewed for this guide didn't set out a fixed processing timescale or licence duration (checked 23 August 2026) - confirm current turnaround and licence length with the council's licensing team once you've submitted your application.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an HMO licence cost in Cambridge?
£1,133 standard, for applications from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027, reduced to £1,000 for renewals at least 8 weeks before expiry, or £603 for an early, full renewal submission.
Does Cambridge have additional licensing?
Yes - the scheme has run since 2019 and was renewed for a further 5 years from 2024, covering HMOs with 3 or 4 unrelated occupants forming 2 or more households.
Can accreditation reduce my Cambridge HMO fee?
Yes - landlords in Cambridge's property accreditation scheme receive a discount on the statutory fee where applicable.
Where do I apply for a Cambridge HMO licence?
Directly through Cambridge City Council - fees can be paid by BACS transfer, email notification, or in person at Mandela House.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Cambridge City Council, GOV.UK or any government body. This page is general information, not legal advice - for anything specific to your property, contact Cambridge City Council's licensing team directly.