Mandatory HMO licensing in Leicester
Whatever the local schemes, a licence is required for any house in multiple occupation let to 5 or more people forming 2 or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. This rule is national and has applied since 1 October 2018. Letting without a required licence is a criminal offence under section 72 of the Housing Act 2004. Read do I need an HMO licence? and how to apply.
Leicester HMO licence register
We did not find an online public register for Leicester. Every council must keep one (Housing Act 2004, s.232) and make it available for inspection; ask the council's private sector housing team.
Leicester Article 4 and HMO planning rules
Official planning data lists 2 HMO Article 4 areas for Leicester. Inside these areas, turning a family house (use class C3) into a small HMO (C4) needs planning permission.
| HMO Article 4 area | In effect from | Document |
|---|
| Houses in Multiple Occupation - 2013 | 8 Aug 2013 | view |
| Leicester City Council HMO Article 4 Direction 2021 | 16 Nov 2021 | view |
Licensing and planning are separate. A licence does not give planning permission, and planning permission does not replace a licence. See Article 4 and HMOs.
Tribunal record: rent repayment orders and civil penalties in Leicester
Figures below count First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) decisions published on GOV.UK for properties located in Leicester. They show how tenants and the council use enforcement here. Most civil penalties are paid without appeal, so they never reach the tribunal.
| Rent repayment order decisions | 8 (5 in the last 3 years) |
|---|
| Orders made | 4 (66.7% of decisions with a known outcome) |
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| Median award | £3,306 (last 3 years: £2,780) |
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| Total awarded | £15,175 |
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| Civil penalty appeals | 1 |
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| Penalty upheld (in full or reduced) | 100% · confirmed in full 0% |
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| Other Housing Act appeals (licence terms, notices, orders) | 7 |
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Amounts and outcomes are extracted automatically from the decision text and can be wrong; open the decision on GOV.UK for the full reasons. Party names are not shown. Information, not legal advice.
If you have let without a licence you needed, read unlicensed property: what to do, rent repayment orders and civil penalties.
Landlord database deadline for Leicester
Leicester is in the East Midlands region of the new Private Rented Sector Database. Registration opens 15 Feb 2027 and the deadline to register is 14 May 2027. The published fee is £65 per property per year. Database registration is separate from council licensing: you may need both. See register your rental property.
Get help with a Leicester licence application
We can prepare a licence application for you for a fixed fee; the council's own fee is separate. See pricing for what is included and how we make money. You can also run a full address check on the postcode checker.
Leicester licensing: common questions
Is there selective licensing in Leicester?
Yes. in force until 9 Oct 2027 (part of the area). Check the council's map or address checker to confirm your street.
How much is an HMO licence in Leicester?
Selective licensing: £1,290. Fees for mandatory HMO licences are set by the council and published on its fees page.
Does Leicester have an Article 4 direction for HMOs?
Official planning data lists 2 HMO Article 4 areas for Leicester. Inside these areas, turning a family house (use class C3) into a small HMO (C4) needs planning permission.
How often do landlords in Leicester face rent repayment orders or fines?
The First-tier Tribunal has published 8 rent repayment order decisions for properties in Leicester (4 with an order made), median award £3,306, and 1 civil penalty appeal. Most penalties are never appealed, so the true number of fines is higher.
Related: selective licensing in England · additional HMO licensing · HMO licence cost · HMO rules · HMO hub
Sources
Last checked 28 Sep 2026. Information, not legal advice. Licensing schemes change often; always confirm with the council before you act.