Landlord licensing in Chelmsford Council

Licensing at a glance

HMO licensing

Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties let to five or more people from two or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet.

Additional licensing

Additional licensing can extend licensing to smaller HMOs. Designations run for up to five years and may be ward or street specific, so confirm the position for the exact address.

Selective licensing

Selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Check the current designations before advertising.

Typical fees

Mandatory HMO Licence fees are £825 for a new application and £675 for a renewal. These fees are payable in two parts.

Towns covered

Chelmsford

What this means for you

If you let a property in the Chelmsford Council area, confirm which licensing regime applies to the exact address. Mandatory HMO licensing covers properties let to five or more people from two or more households who share facilities. Additional licensing can extend this to smaller HMOs, with designations running for up to five years and often ward or street-specific. Selective licensing may require a licence for all private rented homes in a designated area, including single-family lets. The Renters' Rights Act 2025, with main provisions commencing 2026, replaces fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies with periodic assured tenancies and ends section 21 no-fault evictions. Always maintain an evidence pack for each tenancy: a current gas safety record, an EICR no more than five years old, a valid EPC, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, deposit protection and prescribed information, and all required prescribed documents served before the tenancy starts.

Official links

• Licensing pages
• Council website