Licensing in force Citywide additional HMO licensing + selective licensing in 3 wards (Bishopston and Ashley Down, Cotham, Easton).
Licensing schemes in Bristol
| Scheme | Applies to | Area | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licensing | Homes let to 5 or more people from 2 or more households who share facilities | Every council in England | Since 2006 (national law) |
| Additional HMO licensing | Homes let to 3 or 4 people from 2 or more households | The whole city | 6 August 2024 to 5 August 2029 |
| Selective licensing | Most other privately rented homes, including single lets and families | Bishopston and Ashley Down, Cotham, and Easton wards | From 6 August 2024 (5 years) |
What this means for landlords in Bristol
- If you let a house or flat to 3 or more sharers anywhere in Bristol, you almost certainly need a licence.
- If you let to a single household in Bishopston and Ashley Down, Cotham or Easton, you need a selective licence.
How to check your property
- Work out who lives there: how many people, and whether they are one household or sharers.
- Check the exact address against the council's map or address checker. Schemes often cover parts of wards, and boundaries change.
- Apply before you let, or straight away if a new scheme has started. Letting without a required licence can lead to a fine or civil penalty and a rent repayment order.
- Check planning too. Some areas need planning permission to turn a family home into a small HMO (an Article 4 direction).
Our free council finder tells you which council covers a postcode, and the HMO compliance checker helps you work out whether a property is an HMO.
Official information: Bristol City Council: new licensing schemes
Other councils
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence to rent out a house in Bristol?
It depends on the property, who lives there and exactly where it is. Every council licenses larger HMOs (5 or more people from 2 or more households). In Bristol, additional hmo licensing applies to homes let to 3 or 4 people from 2 or more households in The whole city (6 August 2024 to 5 August 2029); selective licensing applies to most other privately rented homes, including single lets and families in Bishopston and Ashley Down, Cotham, and Easton wards (From 6 August 2024 (5 years)). Check the address with Bristol City Council.
What happens if I let a property in Bristol without a licence?
Letting a property that needs a licence without one is a criminal offence. The council can prosecute or issue a civil penalty, and tenants or the council can apply for a rent repayment order.
How does LandlordHub help with licensing?
LandlordHub tracks each property's licence alongside gas, electrical, EPC and other certificates, and reminds you before anything expires. The council finder and HMO checker are free to use without an account.