HMO licensing in Stoke-on-Trent

Which licences a rented house needs in Stoke-on-Trent, and where. England. Checked 7 September 2026.

Mandatory HMO licensing only in Stoke-on-Trent.

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.

None found

HMO page states a 3 or 4 occupant HMO is non-licensable; council news of 2026-08-04 says an Additional Licensing Scheme is proposed subject to statutory consultation (with a citywide Article 4 direction), to be considered by cabinet

Selective licensing

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

None found

Private renting and landlords section lists no selective licensing scheme; only mandatory HMO licensing is described

Council HMO page · HMO Article 4 in Stoke-on-Trent

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: Stoke-on-Trent council, gov.uk HMO licensing. Schemes change; confirm with the council before you offer.