Landlord licensing in North Hertfordshire Council

Licensing at a glance

HMO licensing

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

Additional licensing

North Hertfordshire Council does not currently operate an additional licensing scheme. Previously designated schemes may have expired.

Selective licensing

North Hertfordshire Council does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme. Previously designated schemes may have expired.

Towns covered

North Hertfordshire

What this means for you

If you let a property in the North Hertfordshire Council area, the first step is to confirm which licensing regime the exact address falls under. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to larger HMOs, additional licensing can extend to smaller HMOs, and selective licensing can require a licence for all private rented homes in a designated area. Designations typically run for up to five years. Check the council's own licensing pages for current schemes and boundaries, as these can change. The Renters' Rights Act 2025, with main provisions commencing in 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. Always keep key compliance documents for every tenancy: 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 and prescribed information, and the required prescribed documents served before the tenancy starts.

Official links

• Licensing pages
• Council website