# Licensing in Elmbridge

> Elmbridge has no selective or additional licensing scheme in force.

- Checked 26 Oct 2026 (researched_at 2026-10-26, verified_at 2026-10-26)
- Region: South East
- ONS code: E07000207
- Web page: https://lettance.com/councils/elmbridge
- API: https://lettance.com/api/v1/councils/elmbridge

## Licensing schemes

### Mandatory HMO licence: Mandatory HMO licensing (national scheme, Elmbridge fees)

- Status: In force (`in_force`)
- Area: The whole of Elmbridge Borough (national scheme).
- Fee: Published standard fee: £600. Council HMO page (no fee year printed): '£600 application fee' for a 5-year HMO licence, with a £50 discount for members of a recognised landlord association or accreditation scheme. The Housing Enforcement Policy adopted from 1 May 2026 splits the fee: new licence stage one £300 on application + stage two £300 on award = £600; renewal stage one £400 + stage two £150 = £550; £50 membership discount. No per-person charge shown.
- Licence length: 5 years
- Who needs one: All HMOs occupied by 5 or more people who are not living together as a single household but share facilities (council HMO page).
- Apply: https://elmbridge-self.achieveservice.com/service/HMO_Licence_application
- Licence conditions: https://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2023-03/Guidance%20on%20fire%20safety%20and%20amenities%20for%20Houses%20in%20Multiple%20Occupation.pdf
- Confidence: High
- How we checked this: The council inspects before licensing and carries out routine inspections of all known HMOs. It publishes an HMO register (PDF, January 2026). The page still says unlicensed operation can lead to a civil penalty 'of up to £30,000', which predates the Renters' Rights Act 2025 maximum.
- Sources: https://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/housing/help-private-landlords/houses-multiple-occupation-hmos, https://mygov.elmbridge.gov.uk/documents/s61486/Appendix%20One%20Draft%20Housing%20Enforcement%20Policy.pdf

## Article 4 for house shares

We found no Article 4 direction on house shares in Elmbridge.

Council source: https://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy-and-guidance-0/permitted-development-and-article-4-directions

## Civil penalty policy

The council's policy sets how it decides the size of a fine. The version we found has been updated for the Renters' Rights Act.

Housing Enforcement Policy adopted by Cabinet on 18 March 2026 (minute 58/25) 'with effect from 1 May 2026', with the previous policy running alongside for six months for cases received before 1 May 2026 (https://mygov.elmbridge.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=24680). Appendix 2 is a civil penalties framework under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 (£7,000 and £40,000 statutory maxima): failure to obtain an HMO licence (s.72(1)) has a £17,000 starting point (landlord-type adjustment £13,600 / £20,400). The council's HMO page still describes the old £30,000 maximum.

Policy: https://mygov.elmbridge.gov.uk/documents/s61486/Appendix%20One%20Draft%20Housing%20Enforcement%20Policy.pdf

## Consultations

We found no consultations when we researched Elmbridge.

## Not yet confirmed

We could not settle these points when we researched Elmbridge on 26 October 2026. Check them with the council before you rely on them.

- No selective or additional licensing scheme, proposal or consultation was found on the council's housing, landlord and HMO pages or in the council's committee document search (mygov.elmbridge.gov.uk: 'selective licensing', 'houses in multiple occupation', 'civil penalties housing'). Absence is inferred, not stated by the council.
- Confirm the fee year of the £600 HMO fee.

## Landlord register

The national landlord register is separate from licensing. Elmbridge is in South East, where registration is planned from 15 March 2027 to 14 June 2027. The regulations are still in draft. Read about the register: https://lettance.com/register

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From Lettance: https://lettance.com/councils/elmbridge (catalogue edition 31 October 2026). This is information, not legal advice. Check the linked sources, and the council's own pages, before you act.