Landlord licensing in Worthing Council

Licensing at a glance

HMO licensing

Mandatory HMO licensing applies to any property occupied by five or more persons forming two or more separate 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

Worthing Council publishes its licensing fees on its website, including discounts for accredited landlords and early applications. Fees vary based on the type of licence and property. Contact the council directly for current charges for a specific application.

Towns covered

Worthing

What this means for you

If you let a property in the Worthing Council area, the first job is to confirm which licensing regime the exact address falls under. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties with five or more occupiers, 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. Check the council's licensing pages for current designations, fees, and boundaries, as these can change. Whatever the licensing position, landlords must comply with the Renters' Rights Act 2025, providing a valid EPC, current gas safety record, EICR no more than five years old, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and protecting deposits.

Official links

• Licensing pages
• Council website