Licensing by council › Brighton and Hove

HMO licensing in Brighton and Hove

Which licences a rented house needs in Brighton and Hove, and where. England. Checked 7 September 2026.

Brighton and Hove runs additional licensing and selective licensing on top of mandatory licensing.

Mandatory HMO licence: 5 or more people forming 2 or more households sharing facilities.

Additional licensing

Extends HMO licensing to smaller HMOs (typically 3 or 4 people) in a designated area.

StatusIn forceWherewhole districtDesignated1 July 2024

City-wide scheme for HMOs of 2 or more storeys with 3 or 4 occupiers; designation published March 2024, applications from 1 July 2024; end date not stated on pages read. Source: https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/news/2024/city-wide-hmo-additional-licensing-being-introduced-july

Selective licensing

Every privately rented home in a designated area needs a licence, HMO or not.

StatusIn forceWherenamed areas: Kemptown, Moulsecoomb and Bevendean, Queens Park, Whitehawk and Marina wardsDesignated2 September 2024Ends1 September 2029

Runs 2 September 2024 to 1 September 2029. A second designation covering Central Hove and Regency wards was made 6 July 2026 and comes into force 20 October 2026.

Council HMO page · HMO Article 4 in Brighton and Hove

Check an exact postcode for Article 4

Is a postcode inside an HMO Article 4 area?

See this on every listing.Kerbio puts the Article 4 answer, licensing, the council's HMO register and sold prices on the Rightmove, Zoopla or OnTheMarket page itself. Free for 7 days, then £39 a month.

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Sources: Brighton and Hove council, gov.uk HMO licensing. Schemes change; confirm with the council before you offer.