Landlord licensing in South Norfolk Council
East of England · England
Licensing at a glance
- HMO licensing
- Mandatory HMO licensing applies to larger HMOs occupied by five or more persons forming two or more households, who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet facilities. This is a national requirement, not specific to South Norfolk Council.
- Additional licensing
- South Norfolk Council currently does not have any additional licensing schemes in operation. Such schemes can extend licensing to smaller HMOs not covered by mandatory licensing.
- Selective licensing
- South Norfolk Council currently does not operate any selective licensing schemes. These schemes can require all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, including those let to single families.
- Towns covered
- South Norfolk
What this means for you
If you let a property in the South Norfolk 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. Additional licensing can extend licensing to smaller HMOs. Designations run for up to five years and are ward or street-specific, so confirm the position for the exact address. Selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Check the current designations before you advertise. 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, landlords must hold 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 serve all required prescribed documents 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 South Norfolk Council before letting. Last reviewed 1 October 2026.