Landlord licensing in New Forest Council
South East · England
Licensing at a glance
- HMO licensing
- Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties let to five or more people from two or more separate households who share facilities like a kitchen, bathroom, or toilet. This is a national requirement.
- Additional licensing
- New Forest Council does not currently operate an additional licensing scheme for smaller HMOs. Check the council website for any future designations, which run for up to five years and are ward- or street-specific.
- Selective licensing
- New Forest Council does not currently operate any selective licensing schemes. Check the council website for any future designations, which would require a licence for all private rented homes in a designated area.
- Typical fees
- New Forest Council charges fees for mandatory HMO licence applications. Contact the council directly for current fee schedules and payment details.
- Towns covered
- New Forest
What this means for you
If you let a property in the New Forest Council area, first 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. Additional licensing can extend this to smaller HMOs. Selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Check the council's licensing pages for current designations, fees, and boundaries before each new tenancy, as these can change. The Renters' Rights Act 2025, with main provisions commencing 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. Ensure you have a current gas safety record where applicable, an EICR no more than five years old, a valid EPC, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, deposit protection with prescribed information, and all 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 New Forest Council before letting. Last reviewed 1 October 2026.