Which areas are covered
| Scheme | Area | Runs | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licensing | Whole city (HMOs with 5 or more people forming 2 or more households) | not published to no end date | £1,185 new application for up to 5 bedrooms (£725 Part 1, £460 Part 2); £1,135 renewal (fees from 1 February 2024) |
Do I need a licence?
- An HMO with five or more people forming two or more households: yes, mandatory HMO 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 Sheffield City Council website. Published fees: Mandatory HMO licensing £1,185 new application for up to 5 bedrooms (£725 Part 1, £460 Part 2); £1,135 renewal (fees from 1 February 2024).
Penalties for letting without a licence
Letting a property that needs a licence without one is an offence. Councils can issue civil penalties or prosecute, and tenants can apply for a rent repayment order.
What else to know about Sheffield City Council
- Sheffield has no selective licensing in force: the London Road, Abbeydale Road and Chesterfield Road scheme ran from 1 November 2018 to 31 October 2023 and licences under it do not need renewing.
- The council says HMO licence applications are taking more than 16 weeks to process because of high demand.
- HMO licence holders must have completed suitable landlord training in the five years before the licence is granted.
- A £50 discount on the Part 2 HMO fee is available for properties with an EPC rating of C or above.
- An extra £500 compliance monitoring fee is added if a landlord failed to apply for a licence, and missed or late-cancelled inspection appointments cost £100 each.
- HMO applications are made on the council form and emailed with supporting documents as PDFs to hmo@sheffield.gov.uk.
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 Sheffield City Council have selective licensing?
We have no selective licensing scheme recorded for Sheffield City Council as of 9 October 2026.
Does Sheffield City Council have additional HMO licensing?
No additional HMO licensing scheme
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://www.sheffield.gov.uk/housing/licensing-houses-in-multiple-occupation