Landlord licensing in South Gloucestershire Council

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

South Gloucestershire Council has not introduced any additional licensing schemes for smaller HMOs as of September 2026. Designations run for up to five years and are ward- or street-specific.

Selective licensing

South Gloucestershire Council has not introduced any selective licensing schemes for private rented homes as of September 2026. Check the council's website for any future designations.

Towns covered

South Gloucestershire

What this means for you

If you let a property in the South Gloucestershire Council area, confirm which licensing regime the exact address falls under. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties let to five or more people forming two or more households. Additional licensing can extend licensing to smaller HMOs. Selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Designations run for up to five years and are ward- or street-specific. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (main provisions commenced 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. Keep an evidence pack for every South Gloucestershire Council tenancy: a current gas safety record where gas is present, 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