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Council websiteLandlord licensing in Bath and North East Somerset Council
South West
We currently show scheme records, official links, and supporting research for this council.
Licensing scorecard
Enhanced coverageNo active local scheme currently shown in our data, but former scheme records are noted for context.
Selective licensing
No active selective scheme shownAdditional HMO licensing
Former scheme notedMandatory HMO licensing
Applies across England- Source confidence
- High
- Boundary confidence
- No active local scheme boundary to assess
- Public register
- Not yet confirmed
- Last reviewed
- 28 March 2026
- Next review due
- Not scheduled
- Sources recorded
- 3
Our current data is a research summary, not a legal record. This should be verified with the council before letting, purchasing, refinancing, or taking legal action. Mandatory HMO licensing may still apply even where no local additional or selective scheme is recorded.
Recommended next step
Confirm the detail before you rely on it
Our current data gives a useful starting point, but the area match or scheme detail may need confirming. Verify on the official council source, or get a written check if you want a documented answer.
What still adds uncertainty
- Mandatory HMO licensing can apply based on occupancy and households, which cannot be confirmed from a postcode alone.
Buying, refinancing, or completing conveyancing? A due diligence report pulls the licensing position together with the official routes so the risk is documented before you commit. This is an information service and is not legal advice.
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 Bath and North East Somerset Council.
Council updates
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We will email you if Bath and North East Somerset Council introduces, renews, or changes a licensing scheme. Free, occasional updates only. Always verify final requirements on the council website.
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If you are still unsure
Keep the informational journey first. Use the free checker, the £29 review, or alerts only if you want help resolving uncertainty or tracking future change.
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A lighter monitoring tier for selected councils or areas, aimed at landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates.
See alerts and monitoringThese are information services, not legal advice. Final reliance should still be checked against council sources.
Check a postcode in Bath and North East Somerset Council
Enter a postcode to see whether it appears to fall within a licensing scheme area, then verify the result with the council.
Proposed, consultation or former scheme records
No active local scheme is currently shown in our data, but these records are useful prompts to check the latest council position.
Additional LicensingExpired
Bath City Additional HMO Licensing Scheme (2019–2023)
Covered the whole of Bath City area, requiring licences for smaller HMOs (3–4 occupants) not covered by mandatory licensing. Extended from the earlier 2013 scheme which had only covered Westmoreland, Oldfield, and northern Widcombe wards.
- Scheme period
- 1 January 2019 - 31 December 2023
- Typical licence term
- 5 years
- Coverage
- Selected wards: Bath City area (borough-wide within Bath City), Twerton, Newbridge, Kingsmead, Westmoreland, Oldfield, Widcombe (northern part)
Research notes
Scheme ran from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2023. Cabinet decision to introduce the scheme taken on 5 September 2018, effective 14 September 2018. Covered approximately 1,280 properties including 823 previously unlicensed HMOs. Achieved over 1,000 property improvements including 293 fire alarm system upgrades. Previous 2013 scheme covered ~1,000 HMOs. A future scheme will require public consultation before introduction; no new scheme or consultation confirmed as of March 2026. Council is reviewing evidence for any future scheme.
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
Public licensing register
Councils must keep a public register of licensed properties. How easy it is to use varies a lot between councils.
- Public register found
- Not confirmed
- Search method
- Search online
- Register usability
- Clear searchable register (1/5)
Register appears to cover
HMO
Appears to cover HMO licences - always confirm scope on the register itself.
Register notes
The HMO Public Register Search at app.bathnes.gov.uk/webforms/hmo/ allows searching by licence reference or partial address, with advanced filters for licence type, application type, ward, property type, building type, and date ranges. A map search option is also available. The register only shows issued licences; applications currently being processed are not displayed. As required under Section 232 of the Housing Act 2004, the register includes the name and address of the licence holder, details of any manager, and licence information including permitted occupancy numbers. In-person access or copies available by contacting housing@bathnes.gov.uk or 01225 396418.
We do not yet show a direct public register link for this council.
The council register and official source pages should be treated as the source of truth. Our summary is a guide to help you find and use them, not a substitute for the live register. How public registers work.
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
28 March 2026
Research confidence
High (85/100)
Sources checked
3
Research notes
Core data confirmed from multiple official Bath and North East Somerset Council pages. Mandatory HMO licensing status, fee structure, public register, and expiry of the additional HMO scheme are all confirmed from primary council sources. The landlordlaw.co.uk directory (last modified March 2026) confirms no additional or selective licensing currently active. Third-party sources (landlordlaw.co.uk, landlordtoday.co.uk, btlinsider.co.uk) are consistent with official council information.
Important to verify
- Historical additional HMO licence fee amounts (scheme expired; pages updated to current mandatory-only information)
- Exact Part 2 amount for renewal fee (stated as 'remaining balance' after £600 Part 1; calculated as £295 from £895 total)
- Confirmation of whether a new additional HMO licensing consultation will be launched in 2026
- Any recent council change that could affect the current public summary.
Supporting sources
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 Bath and North East Somerset Council.
Not sure whether the rules apply? Use the HMO licence checker to check whether a property may need an HMO licence, then verify the current position with Bath and North East Somerset Council.
Council-specific HMO detail we currently show
Applies to all large Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the entire Bath and North East Somerset council area. The 2018 regulations removed the three-storey requirement, expanding mandatory licensing to all HMOs with 5+ occupants regardless of storeys.
- HMO fee guide
- £995
- Fee notes
- £995
- Typical licence term
- 5 years
- Start date shown
- 1 October 2018
Mandatory under Housing Act 2004 Part 2. Three-storey rule removed from 1 October 2018. Around 1,200 properties covered across B&NES. Application portal: https://bathnes.idoxds.com/dsfx/xp/start/5200/c88b619e173ac1d8d47ab41df5b7f6ae
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 Bath and North East Somerset Council
- Do I need a landlord licence in Bath and North East Somerset Council?
- Our current data does not show active selective or additional licensing schemes in Bath and North East Somerset Council. However, mandatory HMO licensing still applies across England to properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more households. Always verify with the council as schemes can change.
- How much does a property licence cost in Bath and North East Somerset Council?
- Based on our current data, licence fees in Bath and North East Somerset Council are approximately: Mandatory HMO Licensing: £995. 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 Bath and North East Somerset Council?
- Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Bath and North East Somerset Council. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Bath and North East Somerset Council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
- What happens if I rent without a licence in Bath and North East Somerset Council?
- 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 Bath and North East Somerset Council 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.
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.