Landlord licensing in Rother Council
South East · England
Licensing at a glance
- HMO licensing
- Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties rented by five or more people forming two or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom, or toilet.
- Additional licensing
- Rother Council may designate areas for additional licensing to cover smaller Houses in Multiple Occupation not subject to mandatory licensing. These designations run for up to five years and vary by ward or street, so check the council's website for current schemes.
- Selective licensing
- Rother Council may implement selective licensing schemes in specific areas, requiring all private rented homes, including single-family lets, to be licensed. Landlords must check for current designations on the council's website before letting a property.
- Typical fees
- Licence fees are determined by Rother Council for any applicable mandatory, additional, or selective licensing schemes. These fees typically vary based on the type of licence and the application process. Check the council's licensing pages for current fee structures.
- Towns covered
- Rother
What this means for you
If you let a property in the Rother Council area, confirm which licensing regime applies to the exact address. Mandatory HMO licensing covers properties let to five or more people forming two or more households sharing facilities. Additional licensing can extend this to smaller HMOs, with designations running for up to five years and varying by ward or street. Selective licensing may require a licence for every private rented home in designated areas, including single-family lets. Always check current designations on the council's own licensing pages before advertising. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (main provisions commenced 2026) replaces assured shorthold tenancies with assured periodic tenancies, ends section 21 no-fault evictions, and introduces a national landlord database and ombudsman. For every tenancy, retain evidence of 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 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 Rother Council before letting. Last reviewed 1 October 2026.