Landlord licensing in Worcester 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

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

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.

Typical fees

Worcester Council's current HMO licence fees are £565 for a new five-year application, with a £100 discount for accredited landlords. Renewal fees are £445, with a £100 discount for accredited landlords.

Towns covered

Worcester

What this means for you

If you let a property in the Worcester Council area, 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 facilities. 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, fees and boundaries can change, so check the council's own licensing pages for current information. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (main provisions commencing 2026) replaces fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies with periodic assured tenancies and ends section 21 no-fault evictions. Regardless of licensing, ensure you have a current gas safety record, 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 pages
• Council website