Do I need a landlord licence in Worthing?

In Worthing, 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 Worthing

None that we know of

No selective licensing designation is in force. Worthing Borough Council resolved in March 2024 to develop a selective licensing scheme for the Heene, Central and Selden wards (which contain about half the borough's private rented stock), and its Housing and Homelessness Strategy 2025-2030 commits only to seeking funding to introduce it; no designation has been made and no consultation has resulted in a live scheme. As of our last check we found no selective licensing scheme in Worthing — but always confirm on the council’s page, because councils can designate new schemes at any time.

Official council source →

Additional HMO licensing in Worthing

None that we know of

Only mandatory HMO licensing applies. The council's HMO page (last updated 13 April 2026) states a licence is required where five or more persons live as more than one household and share facilities, with no additional designation for smaller HMOs. As of our last check we found no additional licensing scheme in Worthing — but always confirm on the council’s page, because councils can designate new schemes at any time.

Official council source →

Is your exact property covered?

Designations in Worthing 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 Worthing?
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 Worthing’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 Worthing?
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 Worthing’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. Worthing’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.