Property Licensing Check
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Council websiteLandlord licensing in Arun
South East
We currently show scheme records, official links, and supporting research for this council.
Selective Licensing
No active selective scheme shown
Additional Licensing
Active additional
Mandatory HMO Licensing
Active mandatory HMO
Current status summary
What we currently show
Our current data shows active local licensing signals. Verify the latest boundaries, dates, fees, and exemptions with the council. This page combines scheme records, official verification links, and supporting local research. This public page currently has 11 sources linked or recorded.
What you still need to verify
Check live council wording for scheme boundaries, fees, dates, exemptions, application steps and whether the property setup changes the answer.
Official sources
A licensing page is available and should be treated as the main verification route.
Verify with the council
Our current data is based on publicly available information. Always verify the latest licensing position, scheme boundaries, fees, and exemptions with Arun.
Council updates
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Check a postcode in Arun
Enter a postcode to see whether it appears to fall within a licensing scheme area, then verify the result with the council.
Local licensing scheme records
Additional LicensingActive
Additional HMO Licensing Scheme 2025-2030
Additional licensing for HMOs occupied by three or more persons comprising two or more households (i.e. smaller HMOs with three or four occupants not captured by mandatory licensing), and Section 257 HMOs (converted buildings where two or more flats share communal parts and the conversion did not meet the relevant Building Regulations, and fewer than two-thirds are owner-occupied). The scheme covers three specific wards: River Ward in Littlehampton, and Hotham Ward and Marine Ward in Bognor Regis. These areas were designated following evidence of higher levels of disrepair, lower maintenance standards, increased safety hazards and poorer overall management in their rental stock.
- HMO licence fee
- £2,347
- Fee guide
- 2025-26 fees: For 3-4 person house or flat: £2,347 total (Part 1: £1,902; Part 2: £445). For Section 254 converted buildings: £2,387 total (Part 1: £1,942; Part 2: £445). For Section 257 buildings: £2,468 total (Part 1: £2,023; Part 2: £445). Part 1 is non-refundable on application. Part 2 is payable only on successful grant of licence. Online applications opened 17 December 2024. A penalty regime for unlicensed properties in the scheme area took effect from 1 May 2025. Fees are reviewed annually in April. No discounts or reductions are available; no refunds if a licence is surrendered or revoked.
- Scheme period
- 1 February 2025 - 31 January 2030
- Typical licence term
- Maximum 5 years. Scheme itself runs to 31 January 2030 or earlier if revoked by the Council.
- Coverage
- Selected wards: River Ward, Littlehampton, Hotham Ward, Bognor Regis, Marine Ward, Bognor Regis
Research notes
Full Council resolved on 10 January 2024 to designate the three wards following recommendations from the Environment Committee and Policy and Finance Committee. The formal Designation was made on 1 November 2024 under section 56(1) of the Housing Act 2004. Online applications opened 17 December 2024. The scheme came into force 1 February 2025. The scheme was preceded by a public consultation in 2023; the consultation results and feedback report are published at arun.gov.uk/hmo-results. In December 2024, Mr Sebastian Orszak was prosecuted at Crawley Magistrates' Court (guilty plea) for operating an unlicensed HMO and ordered to pay £562 (fine £223, victim surcharge £89, council costs £250). This was the council's first publicised prosecution under the scheme. Contact: HMOLicensing@arun.gov.uk / 01903 737755. Property types covered: HMOs occupied by three or four persons from two or more households sharing basic amenities (toilet, washing, or cooking facilities) within the designated wards. Also Section 257 HMOs (converted buildings including common parts) within the same wards. Excludes HMOs already subject to mandatory licensing. Exemptions or exclusions: HMOs already subject to mandatory licensing (5+ persons) are excluded. Standard statutory exemptions under Schedule 14 of the Housing Act 2004 apply (care homes, student accommodation managed by educational establishments, religious buildings, owner-occupied properties and similar). Designation falls under the Housing Act 2004: Licensing of HMOs and Selective Licensing General Approval 2015 and did not require Secretary of State confirmation.
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
Additional LicensingUnder Consultation
Additional HMO Licensing Consultation 2023
Public consultation conducted in 2023 proposing the introduction of an Additional HMO Licensing Scheme in three wards (Marine, Hotham, and River). The consultation proposed covering HMOs with 3-4 occupants in two or more households, and Section 257 HMOs. The consultation informed the Full Council decision of 10 January 2024 to approve the designation.
- Fee guide
- The consultation appendix (Appendix 5) proposed indicative fee levels lower than the 2025-26 operative fees: 3-4 person house: £1,834 (Part 1: £1,511; Part 2: £323); 3-4 person flat: £1,684 (Part 1: £1,361; Part 2: £323); Section 257 HMO up to 2 storeys: £1,534 (Part 1: £1,211; Part 2: £323); Section 257 HMO over 2 storeys: £1,583 (Part 1: £1,260; Part 2: £323). These were indicative/proposed fees; operative 2025-26 fees are higher as noted above.
- Coverage
- Selected wards: River Ward, Littlehampton, Hotham Ward, Bognor Regis, Marine Ward, Bognor Regis
Research notes
The 2023 consultation document (available in PDF, 14MB, and HTML formats) and a 2023 HMO Consultation Results and Feedback Report (4MB PDF) are published at arun.gov.uk/hmo-results. The consultation led directly to the Full Council approval on 10 January 2024 and the subsequent designation made on 1 November 2024. This entry records the closed consultation stage rather than a separate active scheme. Property types covered: Proposed: HMOs with 3-4 persons in two or more households sharing amenities; Section 257 HMOs.
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
Research summary
These public research signals help show how recently this page was reviewed and what still needs checking before you rely on it.
Last reviewed
27 March 2026
Research confidence
High (88/100)
Sources checked
11
Research notes
Key facts confirmed across multiple official Arun District Council pages: the Additional HMO Licensing Scheme designation date (1 November 2024), commencement date (1 February 2025), expiry date (31 January 2030), geographic scope (River, Hotham and Marine wards), and the Full Council approval date (10 January 2024) are all consistent across the designation document, the scheme 2025 page, and news releases. Fees for 2025-26 were confirmed from the council's fees and charges page. Mandatory HMO licensing is confirmed as nationally required and active district-wide. No selective licensing scheme was found across multiple search queries and page reviews. The public register URL was confirmed from the licensing landing page. The 2023 consultation outcome is confirmed. One area of minor uncertainty is the exact fee structure for the mandatory licence prior to 2025-26 (the appendix-5 consultation document predates the scheme and shows lower historic/proposed fee levels).
Council contact details
- Phone
- 01903 737755
Register access
Public RegisterAvailable Searchable
The council maintains a public register of all licensed HMO properties (both mandatory and additional HMO licences) as required under section 232 of the Housing Act 2004. The register is accessible online through the council's environmental health portal at eh.arun.gov.uk. Users can select 'Licence type: HMO' to filter the register. The council committed in the Additional Licensing Designation to maintain a register of houses registered under the Additional Licensing Designation as required under section 232 of the Act. No separate selective licensing register exists as no selective licensing scheme is in operation.
Important to verify
- Physical address for HMO licensing team
- Exact fee amounts for mandatory HMO licensing prior to 2025-26 (historic fee schedule not found on current pages)
- Whether the additional licensing fee structure differentiates between houses and flats at the 2025-26 rates (the appendix-5 document showed a distinction but the 2025-26 fees page treated them as one category of £2,347)
- Any recent council change that could affect the current public summary.
Supporting sources
- https://www.arun.gov.uk/hmo-licensing-mandatory/
- https://www.arun.gov.uk/hmo-licensing-additional/
- https://www.arun.gov.uk/additional-hmo-licensing-scheme-2025/
- https://www.arun.gov.uk/additional-hmo-licensing-scheme-designation-2024/
- https://www.arun.gov.uk/hmo-licensing-consultation/
- https://www.arun.gov.uk/fees-and-charges/
Mandatory HMO licensing
All councils in England must operate mandatory HMO licensing. This applies to properties with 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more separate households, regardless of location. If your property meets these criteria, you must apply for a mandatory HMO licence from Arun council.
Council-specific HMO detail we currently show
Mandatory licensing applies district-wide to all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) occupied by five or more persons from two or more households who share a toilet, washing facilities, or cooking facilities. From 1 October 2018, the previous requirement for a property to be three or more storeys was removed, significantly expanding the scope of mandatory licensing to cover all qualifying HMOs regardless of storey count.
- HMO fee guide
- £2,387
- Fee notes
- 2025-26 fee: £2,387 total for a 5-person base property (Part 1 application fee: £1,942; Part 2 issue fee: £445). An additional £50 per person above 5 occupants is charged on the Part 1 fee. Part 1 is non-refundable on application regardless of outcome. Part 2 is payable only on successful grant of licence prior to formal issue. Fees are reviewed and set annually each April. No reductions or discounts for multiple applications or accreditation. No refunds if a licence is surrendered or revoked within the licence period. Fee is cost-neutral (not profit-generating).
- Typical licence term
- Maximum 5 years. Shorter licences (1-2 years) may be issued where properties are discovered unlicensed during enforcement. Applicants should apply at least 2 months before current licence expiry.
- Start date shown
- 1 April 2006
Mandatory HMO licensing was introduced nationally under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004 with effect from April 2006. The storey requirement was removed from 1 October 2018. Arun District Council applications are made through the council's online environmental health portal at eh.arun.gov.uk. All communications with the licensing team must be electronic. Property types covered: Section 254 HMOs with five or more persons forming two or more separate households sharing basic amenities (toilet, washing, or cooking facilities). Applies regardless of number of storeys following October 2018 legislative changes. Exemptions or exclusions: Standard statutory exemptions under the Housing Act 2004. Section 257 HMOs (converted blocks of flats) are covered under the additional licensing scheme rather than mandatory licensing. Properties in Schedule 14 exempt categories (care homes, student accommodation managed by educational establishments, religious buildings, owner-occupied properties etc.) are excluded.
Other compliance requirements
In addition to licensing, all private landlords in England must comply with these requirements:
- Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) - renewed annually
- EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) - every 5 years
- EPC rating of E or above - required before letting
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms - checked at start of tenancy
- Deposit protection - within 30 days of receiving deposit
- Right to Rent checks - before tenancy starts
Common questions about licensing in Arun
- Do I need a landlord licence in Arun?
- Arun currently operates additional HMO licensing. Whether you need a licence depends on the property location, type, and occupancy. Use the postcode checker on this page or contact the council directly to confirm.
- How much does a property licence cost in Arun?
- Based on our current data, licence fees in Arun are approximately: Additional HMO Licensing Scheme 2025-2030: £2,347; Mandatory HMO Licensing: £2,387; Additional HMO Licensing Consultation 2023: The consultation appendix (Appendix 5) proposed indicative fee levels lower than the 2025-26 operative fees: 3-4 person house: £1,834 (Part 1: £1,511; Part 2: £323); 3-4 person flat: £1,684 (Part 1: £1,361; Part 2: £323); Section 257 HMO up to 2 storeys: £1,534 (Part 1: £1,211; Part 2: £323); Section 257 HMO over 2 storeys: £1,583 (Part 1: £1,260; Part 2: £323). These were indicative/proposed fees; operative 2025-26 fees are higher as noted above. Fees can vary and may include discounts for early applications. Always check the latest fees on the council website before applying.
- Does mandatory HMO licensing apply in Arun?
- Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Arun. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Arun council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
- What happens if I rent without a licence in Arun?
- Operating a licensable property without the correct licence can lead to enforcement action. For offences committed on or after 1 May 2026, GOV.UK guidance refers to civil penalties of up to £40,000 for relevant offences, with different treatment for breaches and for offences committed before that date. Earlier cases may still be assessed under previous rules. Tenants or local authorities may be able to apply for a rent repayment order. GOV.UK guidance now refers to up to two years' rent for relevant offences, but eligibility, timing and the final amount depend on the facts and tribunal decision. From 1 May 2026, Section 21 notices can no longer be used for existing or new private tenancies in England. Transitional rules may still matter for notices served before that date.
Still unsure? Choose the next step that fits you
Use these routes to move from the Arun summary into the most relevant next action for your property, role, or research task.
Landlord with a standard let→
Start with a postcode if you want a property-specific route before relying on the council summary alone.
Shared occupancy or possible HMO→
Use the HMO checker if occupier numbers, households, or room-sharing could change the answer.
Check if a property has an HMO licence→
Use this if you need to check whether a property holds an HMO licence, or find the council's public HMO register.
Investor, buyer, or conveyancer→
Use the due diligence guide if this council page is part of a purchase, refinance, or pre-letting review.
Letting agent or portfolio manager→
Preview the monitoring route if you need ongoing watchlists and recurring scheme-change visibility.
Understand additional licensing rules→
Read the guide if you want the broader background on how additional HMO licensing works alongside this council page.
Need the local HMO route→
Use the additional licensing page if the real question is whether a smaller shared house needs a local licence here.
Tenant checking landlord compliance→
Use the tenant guide if you rent a property and want to check whether your landlord holds the right licence.
Important disclaimer
This tool provides general information about landlord licensing schemes in England. Results are based on publicly available data and may not reflect recent changes. This is not legal advice. Always verify licensing requirements directly with your local council before making decisions.