Landlord licensing in Surrey Heath Council

Licensing at a glance

HMO licensing

Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties let to five or more tenants forming two or more households, who share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom.

Additional licensing

Surrey Heath Council may implement additional licensing schemes for smaller HMOs. These designations typically run for up to five years and are specific to particular wards or streets.

Selective licensing

Surrey Heath Council may introduce selective licensing schemes requiring all private rented properties within designated areas to be licensed, including those let to single families.

Towns covered

Surrey Heath

What this means for you

If you let a property in the Surrey Heath 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 who share facilities. Additional licensing may extend this to smaller HMOs, with designations lasting up to five years and being ward- or street-specific. Selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Always check current designations before advertising. The Renters' Rights Act 2025, with main provisions commencing in 2026, replaces assured shorthold tenancies with periodic assured tenancies, ends section 21 'no-fault' evictions, and introduces a national landlord database and ombudsman.

Official links

• Licensing pages
• Council website