HMO licensing in Nottingham: additional licensing fees and how to apply
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against Nottingham City Council's own published pages on the date above
Nottingham runs a citywide additional HMO licensing scheme, in force since January 2024, covering an estimated 2,300+ privately rented HMOs occupied by 3 or more unrelated people forming 2 or more households, including purpose-built flats (Nottingham City Council, checked 23 August 2026).
From April 2026, the fee is £1,607 total for standard non-accredited landlords, £2,180 for less-compliant landlords, or £1,210 for accredited landlords.
Short on time?Let us prepare your Nottingham HMO application - fixed fee, and we always show you the free official route first.
Get it done for you →This page sets out Nottingham's own published fees and scheme details - 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 Nottingham City Council's own website, not legal advice - always confirm current fees with the council directly before you apply.
What's different about HMO licensing in Nottingham?
Nottingham's additional licensing scheme is unusually wide-reaching: it's the city's third such scheme, went citywide in January 2024, and catches any home shared by 3 or more unrelated people forming 2 or more households - including purpose-built flats, not just converted houses (Nottingham City Council, checked 23 August 2026).
The fee structure also rewards accreditation heavily - accredited landlords pay roughly £400 less than standard non-accredited landlords, and non-compliant landlords pay considerably more.
What does an HMO licence cost in Nottingham?
Nottingham's additional licensing fees, effective from April 2026, are split into a flat application element plus a variable element depending on your compliance record (Nottingham City Council, checked 23 August 2026).
Other charges apply for missed inspections (£50), extra correspondence (£30), paper applications (£30-£65) and enforcement action (£350). Read Nottingham City Council's housing licensing fee policy →
✓ Checked against Nottingham City Council, 23 August 2026
Does Nottingham run additional or selective licensing?
| Scheme | Status in Nottingham |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licensing | Citywide, applies to every large HMO (5+ occupants, 2+ households) |
| Additional licensing | Citywide since January 2024 - covers 3+ unrelated occupants forming 2+ households, including purpose-built flats |
| Selective licensing | Not the focus of this research pass - confirm current position with the council |
Because Nottingham's additional scheme goes down to 3 occupants and includes purpose-built flats, many more properties are caught here than in cities with a narrower additional licensing definition.
How do you apply for an HMO licence in Nottingham?
You apply online through Nottingham City Council's website, with documentation requirements set out clearly on the additional licensing page (Nottingham City Council, checked 23 August 2026).
- Check your property is in scope - 3+ unrelated occupants forming 2+ households, including purpose-built flats.
- Gather documentation - photo ID, gas and electrical safety certificates, EPC, fire safety assessment and property details.
- Apply online - the council states this typically takes around 90 minutes to complete.
- Pay the first payment upfront, with a second payment due after the council approves your application.
- Consider accreditation before applying, since it materially reduces your total fee.
How long does a Nottingham HMO licence take?
Nottingham City Council's pages reviewed for this guide didn't set out a fixed licence duration or processing timescale beyond the roughly 90-minute application form itself (checked 23 August 2026) - confirm current turnaround and licence length with the council's licensing team.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an additional HMO licence cost in Nottingham?
From April 2026: £1,210 for accredited landlords, £1,607 for standard non-accredited landlords, or £2,180 for less-compliant landlords, plus £29 per extra bedroom above 10.
Which properties need a licence under Nottingham's additional scheme?
Any home occupied by 3 or more unrelated people forming 2 or more households sharing kitchen, bathroom or toilet facilities - including purpose-built flats, not just converted houses - across the whole city.
Does accreditation save money in Nottingham?
Yes - accredited landlords pay £1,210 versus £1,607 for standard non-accredited landlords, a difference of nearly £400.
Where do I apply for a Nottingham HMO licence?
Online through Nottingham City Council's own website - the application typically takes around 90 minutes, with payment in two parts.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Nottingham City Council, GOV.UK or any government body. This page is general information, not legal advice - for anything specific to your property, contact Nottingham City Council's licensing team directly.