Private rented property licensing

Fees, discounts and refunds

Fees

Before we can process your application for a licence, you will need to pay the licence fee. The application form calculates your fee, you must select the correct licence type and the correct number of bedrooms available for letting on the application form.

Fees are paid in two instalments. The ‘Part A’ fee is payable when you apply for a licence and the ‘Part B’ fee is payable when we issue you a full licence. If we do not issue you a full licence for any reason you will not have to pay the ‘Part B’ fee.

Discounts

For mandatory, additional or selective licence applications:

• Gold Standard Charter landlords receive a 50% discount from their ‘Part B’ fee
• Gold Standard Charter landlords who have also signed up to the council’s Finders’ Fee scheme will not be charged the ‘Part B’ fee

Discounts of 50% on Part A and B fees are for Registered Charities only, where they can provide housing that is:

• let at below market rent and
• specially designed and adapted to meet the needs of vulnerable people, disabled people, older people, or any other groups protected under the Equality Act 2010

How long is the licence valid for?

Licences are typically valid for five years however, properties with evidence of poor management or other housing-related problems will only be given one or three years, depending on the severity of the issue.

Refunds

The ‘Part A’ fee covers the cost of processing the licence. Refunds will only be issued in exceptional circumstances and where we have not issued a draft licence.

We do not refund fees if the property no longer needs a licence before the licence expires. For example, if the property becomes owner occupied or is no longer let as an HMO in year 3 of a 5-year licence.

Page last updated: 01 October 2024