Do I need a landlord licence in Chichester?

In Chichester, the national mandatory HMO rules always apply — and whether extra local licensing affects you depends on the council’s current schemes below.

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 Chichester

Not verified yet

We haven’t verified Chichester’s position on selective licensing against official sources yet. Check the council’s landlord pages, or take our free compliance score and we’ll flag it for a proper check.

Additional HMO licensing in Chichester

Not verified yet

We haven’t verified Chichester’s position on additional licensing against official sources yet. Check the council’s landlord pages, or take our free compliance score and we’ll flag it for a proper check.

Is your exact property covered?

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

Common questions

Do I need a landlord licence in Chichester?
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 Chichester’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 Chichester?
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 Chichester’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. Chichester’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.

Last verified against official sources: 2026-08-17.

LetClerk is an administration and information service, not legal advice.