Home / Help / Compliance and safety
How long does an HMO licence last?
Last verified 23 October 2026
In England, an HMO licence is valid for a maximum of 5 years. Five years is the longest period allowed, so check the end date on your own licence, and renew it before it runs out.
Mandatory licensing applies to large HMOs, let to 5 or more people from more than one household who share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities. Your council may also require licences for smaller HMOs in its area. You need a separate licence for each HMO you run, and each one has its own end date.
Put the end date in your diary and start the renewal well ahead, because the council needs time to process an application. If the licence runs out while the property is still let as an HMO that needs one, you are renting out an unlicensed HMO, which can lead to a fine. Check your council's website for its renewal process and the documents it asks for.