Do I need a landlord licence in Brighton and Hove?

Yes — some rentals in Brighton and Hove need a licence beyond the national HMO rules. Whether yours does depends on the property’s address and who lives there.

Mandatory HMO licensing (national)

Yes, everywhere in England

This is national law, not a council choice: any property rented to 5 or more people who form 2 or more separate households is a licensable HMO anywhere in England. If that describes your property, you need a licence from the council whether or not it runs any local scheme.

Official council source →

Selective licensing in Brighton and Hove

Yes — a scheme is in force

Selective licensing covers four wards - Kemptown, Moulsecoomb and Bevendean, Queens Park, and Whitehawk and Marina - running from 2 September 2024 to 1 September 2029. A second designation made 6 July 2026 adds the Regency and Central Hove wards from 20 October 2026 until 19 October 2031. If your property falls inside the designation, letting it without a selective licence is a criminal offence. Schemes change and new designations appear, so always confirm on the council’s own page before relying on this.

Official council source →

Additional HMO licensing in Brighton and Hove

Yes — a scheme is in force

A citywide additional HMO licensing designation, approved 13 March 2024, applies to HMOs of two or more storeys occupied by three or four people. It came into force on 1 July 2024 and ceases to have effect on 30 June 2029. If your property falls inside the designation, letting it without a additional licence is a criminal offence. Schemes change and new designations appear, so always confirm on the council’s own page before relying on this.

Official council source →

Is your exact property covered?

Designations in Brighton and Hove can run street by street. Check where your property stands in 3 minutes — free, no account.

Get your free compliance scoreFull audit + call — £99

Common questions

Do I need a landlord licence in Brighton and Hove?
It depends on the property: larger HMOs (5 or more people from 2 or more households) always need a mandatory licence anywhere in England, and Brighton and Hove’s own selective or additional schemes can extend licensing to other rentals — see the current position above.
What happens if I let an unlicensed property in Brighton and Hove?
Letting a licensable property without a licence is a criminal offence: unlimited fines on conviction or civil penalties of up to £30,000, a rent repayment order of up to 12 months’ rent, and restrictions on regaining possession.
How do I check if my exact address is inside a licensing area?
Designations are often street-by-street. Check the map or address checker on Brighton and Hove’s licensing pages (linked above), or take our free compliance score and we’ll flag licensing as something to verify for your property.
How much does a landlord licence cost?
Fees are set per council and per scheme, typically several hundred pounds per property for a five-year licence. Brighton and Hove’s current fees are on the official page linked above.
Can LetClerk handle the licence application for me?
Yes — checking your address against current schemes and preparing the application is part of our done-for-you compliance service. Start with the free score or the £99 audit and we’ll take it from there.