Fees and discounts for property licences.
An HMO needs an additional licence when it is located in one of scheme areas and is occupied by at least three people, who don't make up a single household and who share a bathroom, toilet or cooking facilities.
More information about what an HMO is and what a household is.
In areas with selective licensing schemes, a fee is payable for non HMOs. A non HMO is a home occupied by:
- one or two people
- one family
Bedminster, Brislington West and Horfield additional licensing scheme from 6 April 2022
An additional licensing scheme came into force on 6 April 2022 for all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) not already covered by mandatory licensing for the three wards above.
Total cost: £1,300
- First payment: £1,000, payable when submitting the licence application.
- Second payment: £300, payable upon successful application before the licence is issued.
The second payment is less any licensing scheme discounts.
The licence lasts 5 years.
Bedminster and Brislington West selective licensing scheme from 6 April 2022
A selective licensing scheme came into force on 6 April 2022 for all private rented housing in the area.
Total cost: £799
- First payment: £499, payable when submitting the licence application
- Second payment: £300, payable upon successful application before the licence is issued
The second payment is less any licensing scheme discounts.
The licence lasts 5 years.
Citywide additional licensing scheme from 6 August 2024
An additional licensing scheme came into force on 6 August 2024 for all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) not already covered by mandatory licensing or the Bedminster, Brislington West and Horfield additional licensing schemes.
Cost of the licence
Total cost for a first time licence £1,861:
- First payment: £1,023, payable when submitting the licence application.
- Second payment: £838, payable upon successful application before the licence is issued.
Cost to renew the licence
Total cost for a renewal of a licence £1,470:
- First payment: £808, payable when submitting the licence application.
- Second payment: £662, payable upon successful application before the licence is issued.
An example of a renewal: previously licensed under Central scheme and licence expires during the lifetime of the new scheme.
The second payment is less any licensing scheme discounts.
Length of the licence
The licence last 5 years.
Selective licensing scheme from 6 August 2024
A selective licensing scheme will come into force on 6 August 2024 for all private rented housing in these 3 wards:
- Bishopston and Ashley Down
- Cotham
- Easton
Cost of the licence
Total cost: £912
- First payment: £467, payable when submitting the licence application.
- Second payment: £445, payable upon successful application before the licence is issued.
The second payment is less any licensing scheme discounts.
Length of licence
The licence lasts 5 years.
Licensing scheme discounts
Rent with confidence scheme
To qualify for the £150 licence fee Rent with Confidence (RWC) discount, licence holders or managers of licensed properties must have the accredited level of membership with one of the RWC approved providers when you apply for a licence. Read about how to join an accreditation scheme.
This scheme isn't managed by the council. Contact the Rent with Confidence approved providers directly. You can find a list of approved contractors on The West of England Rent with Confidence Accreditation Scheme Go to https://www.westofenglandrentwithconfidence.co.uk (opens new window).
As the applicant, it's your responsibility to prove RWC accredited membership. If you can't provide evidence of qualifying membership (usually an accreditation certificate) by the deadline for Part 2 payment, the licence holder isn't eligible for reward.
Discount will only be awarded if you are an accredited member not just an ordinary member of the organisation.
Safety and performance certificates
Within three months of the licence being issued we need to see copies of the property's:
- gas safety certificate
- electricity installation condition report (EICR)
- energy performance certificate(EPC)
You either get:
- a £150 discount on the part two payment if you give us satisfactory copies of the documents before we issue the licence
- or a £150 refund if you give us satisfactory copies within 3 months of the full licence being issued (for Bedminster, Brislington West and Horfield Licensing schemes only).
How we measure satisfactory
Satisfactory depends on the type of certificate:
Gas safety record (no longer called a certificate)
A record of an inspection carried out by a Gas Safe registered contractor competent for the appliance(s) inspected.
Must be tested and dated within the previous 12 months prior to submission that confirms that all appliances and pipework are in a safe condition.
Electricity installation condition report (EICR)
The inspection record should be dated within the previous 5 years and indicate that the installation is in a safe condition and is free from any code 1 (C1), 2 (C2)or FI matters.
The inspection report should be carried out by a contractor competent and approved to:
- carry out inspections and tests (rather than solely competent and authorised to carry out work) and
- who meets the definition of a qualified person under regulation 2 of The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020
The inspection report will be required to show that the installation complies with the electrical safety standards as detailed in regulation 2 of The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.
Energy performance certificate (EPC)
A satisfactory EPC is one dated within the previous 10 years (and still valid) and which indicates a minimum EPC band of band E. Any band F or G certificate will not be regarded as satisfactory.
Homelessness accommodation and licence fee refund
The Private Renting Team provide accommodation to help prevent homelessness in Bristol.
If you agree to working with them by providing your whole property to let, you may be entitled to a licence fee refund from them.
To find out how this could work for you, email private.renting@bristol.gov.uk or visit Get help with renting out your property.