Which areas are covered
| Scheme | Area | Runs | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Additional HMO licensing | Whole city (HMOs with 3 or 4 occupiers, and most mainly or wholly tenanted section 257 HMOs) | 4 May 2025 to 3 May 2030 | Stage 1 £716 plus Stage 2 depending on licence length: £944 total for 5 years, £1,116 for 2 years, £1,571 for 1 year, £2,241 higher rate if unlicensed 12+ weeks; renewal £937 |
| Mandatory HMO licensing | Whole city (HMOs with 5 or more people forming more than one household) | not published to no end date | Same two-stage fees as additional licences: £944 (5-year), £1,116 (2-year), £1,571 (1-year), £2,241 (higher rate), £937 (renewal) |
Do I need a licence?
- An HMO with five or more people forming two or more households: yes, mandatory HMO licence.
- A smaller HMO inside an additional licensing area: yes, additional licence.
- A single-household let: no local scheme recorded, but check the council’s site for new consultations.
How to apply and what it costs
Apply on the Coventry City Council website. Published fees: Additional HMO licensing Stage 1 £716 plus Stage 2 depending on licence length: £944 total for 5 years, £1,116 for 2 years, £1,571 for 1 year, £2,241 higher rate if unlicensed 12+ weeks; renewal £937; Mandatory HMO licensing Same two-stage fees as additional licences: £944 (5-year), £1,116 (2-year), £1,571 (1-year), £2,241 (higher rate), £937 (renewal).
Penalties for letting without a licence
Coventry can prosecute (unlimited fine) or issue a civil penalty of up to £30,000 as an alternative to prosecution, and can seek rent repayment orders or take over an HMO with a management order; the council notes penalties rise to £40,000 for serious or repeat breaches under the Renters' Rights Act 2025.
What else to know about Coventry City Council
- Coventry grants HMO licences for one, two or five years; a one-year licence is the default and longer licences need the eligibility criteria to be met when you apply.
- An HMO found operating unlicensed for 12 weeks or more only qualifies for a one-year licence and is charged the higher Stage 2 fee.
- Landlords accredited through the free Coventry Landlord Accreditation Scheme (CLAS) may qualify for cheaper, longer-lasting HMO licences.
- The council has decided not to introduce selective licensing at this time, so ordinary single-household lets do not need a licence.
- A pre-licensing advice visit costs £289 plus VAT (£347), and Stage 1 fees for withdrawn applications are not refundable.
- Section 257 HMOs of just two flats not above or below commercial premises, or with no shared parts and no more than two storeys, are excluded from additional licensing.
Landlord compliance checklist
Licensing is one part of compliance. Use the compliance checklist, and if you’re starting a tenancy, the compliance pack.
Frequently asked questions
Does Coventry City Council have selective licensing?
We have no selective licensing scheme recorded for Coventry City Council as of 9 October 2026.
Does Coventry City Council have additional HMO licensing?
Yes: Whole city (HMOs with 3 or 4 occupiers, and most mainly or wholly tenanted section 257 HMOs).
Do large HMOs need a licence?
Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across England to HMOs occupied by five or more people forming two or more households.
How do I apply?
Apply through the council’s website: https://planandregulatory.coventry.gov.uk/index.html