Landlord licensing in Forest of Dean Council
South West · England
Licensing at a glance
- HMO licensing
- Mandatory HMO licensing applies to any property let to five or more people forming two or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet.
- Additional licensing
- Forest of Dean Council does not currently operate an additional licensing scheme for smaller HMOs.
- Selective licensing
- Forest of Dean Council does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme.
- Typical fees
- Mandatory HMO licence fees are £660 for a new application and £500 for a renewal. There is a discount for accredited landlords.
- Towns covered
- Forest of Dean
What this means for you
If you let a property in the Forest of Dean Council area, the first job is to confirm which licensing regime the exact address falls under. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to any property let to five or more people forming two or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (main provisions commence 2026) replaces fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies with periodic assured tenancies, ends section 21 no-fault evictions and introduces a national landlord database and ombudsman. Whatever the licensing position, keep the same evidence pack for every Forest of Dean Council tenancy: a current gas safety record where there is gas, an EICR no more than five years old, a valid EPC, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, deposit protection and prescribed information, and the required prescribed documents served before the tenancy starts.
Official links
Licensing designations, fees and boundaries change regularly. This page is a general summary, not legal advice — always confirm the position for the exact address with Forest of Dean Council before letting. Last reviewed 2 August 2026.