Brighton and Hove Council Is Moving To Data-Led Enforcement
Property Licensing Guide for Brighton and Hove
Brighton and Hove currently operates selective licensing in 4 wards and additional licensing in 23 wards; mandatory HMO licensing applies everywhere. A new selective licensing scheme covering Regency and Central Hove comes into force on 20 October 2026. Last checked: 15 July 2026.
This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in this area and how to apply for a licence.
New to this? Read our overview: What is selective licensing?
Brighton and Hove Property Licensing Schemes
Got questions about licensing schemes in Brighton and Hove? We’re here to help. This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in Brighton and Hove and how to apply for a licence.
Is manual compliance causing a headache for your agency? At Kamma, we specialise in automating licensing compliance for agents across the UK. If you need any assistance in getting your property portfolio compliant, find out how we can help letting agents here.
Not sure whether a Brighton and Hove property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker tells you in seconds — across selective, additional and HMO schemes.
Check a Brighton and Hove property →What are the licensing requirements for Brighton and Hove?
Mandatory licensing in Brighton and Hove
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Brighton and Hove (and all of England) to larger HMOs — properties occupied by five or more people forming more than one household, including:
- Shared houses and flats occupied by students and young professionals.
- Properties converted into bedsits with some shared facilities.
- Properties converted into a mix of self-contained and non-self-contained accommodation.
Do I need an additional property licence in Brighton and Hove?
Additional licensing requires smaller HMOs in a designated area to be licensed — a privately rented property with three or more people forming more than one household.
Brighton and Hove operates additional HMO licensing — the current designation is set out below.
Do I need a selective licence in Brighton and Hove?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Brighton and Hove operates selective licensing — the current designation is set out below. A new selective licensing designation covering Regency and Central Hove comes into force on 20 October 2026, running to 19 October 2031.
Additional licensing: 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2029 — covering Brunswick & Adelaide, Central Hove, Coldean & Stanmer, Goldsmid, Hangleton & Knoll, Hanover & Elm Grove, Hollingdean & Fiveways, Kemptown, Moulsecoomb & Bevendean, North Portslade, Patcham & Hollingbury, Preston Park, Queen’s Park, Regency, Rottingdean & West Saltdean, Round Hill, South Portslade, West Hill & North Laine, Westbourne & Poets’ Corner, Westdene & Hove Park, Whitehawk & Marina, Wish and Woodingdean.
Selective licensing: 2 September 2024 to 1 September 2029 — covering Kemptown, Moulsecoomb & Bevendean, Queen’s Park and Whitehawk & Marina.
Selective licensing (new designation): 20 October 2026 to 19 October 2031 — covering Regency and Central Hove.
Mandatory HMO licensing: in force since 2006 for HMOs of five or more people forming more than one household.
How do I apply for a licence?
You can apply for a licence via Brighton and Hove Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.
How much does a license cost?
Licence fees: see Brighton and Hove Council’s property licensing fees page for current selective, additional and mandatory HMO fees.
We Handle Your Brighton and Hove Applications End-to-End
TRUSTED BY LEADING AGENTS & LANDLORDS ACROSS THE UK
Managing Across Multiple Boroughs?
Reduce risk by swapping manual tracking for our licensing compliance platform Kamma Suite.
2 licensing schemes. Know exactly what you need.
Brighton and Hove Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does Brighton and Hove operate?
Brighton and Hove operates selective and additional licensing (2 September 2024 to 1 September 2029), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. See the scheme details above.
Do all properties in Brighton and Hove need a licence?
It depends on the scheme and your property. Where selective licensing applies, most privately rented homes need a licence; HMOs fall under mandatory or additional licensing depending on size and occupancy.What if my property doesn't have a licence?
Operating an unlicensed property that requires a licence can bring civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property, rent repayment orders of up to 24 months, and being unable to serve a Section 21 notice. Letting agents can be held jointly liable.Can letting agents apply on behalf of landlords?
Yes. Letting agents can apply for property licences on behalf of landlords in Brighton and Hove, and many manage the full process.
How do I apply for a Brighton and Hove property licence?
You can apply through Brighton and Hove Council’s website (licensing pages), or use a managed service such as Kamma.
How long does an application take?
Processing times vary with the council’s workload and the quality of the application. A complete, correctly prepared application is processed fastest.
Why did Brighton and Hove introduce selective licensing?
Selective licensing is used to improve housing conditions and tackle anti-social behaviour in the private rented sector.
Why did Brighton and Hove introduce additional licensing?
Additional HMO licensing addresses overcrowding, disrepair and management standards in smaller HMOs not covered by the national mandatory scheme.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in Brighton and Hove?
The council’s HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management (licence conditions).
About Brighton and Hove
Brighton and Hove, a city and unitary authority in East Sussex, southeastern England, lies on the English Channel, 51 miles south of London. Granted city status in 2000, it has the largest population on England’s southern coast and serves as the main commercial hub of Sussex. The unitary authority encompasses the seaside resorts of Brighton and Hove, as well as surrounding communities, extending from the coast into the South Downs. It borders East Sussex to the east and West Sussex to the west. The University of Sussex is located on its northeastern edge. Key economic sectors include tourism and financial services. The area spans 32 square miles, with a population of 247,817 in 2001, increasing to 273,369 by 2011.
Licensing Enforcement in Brighton and Hove
Brighton and Hove Council enforces property licensing across its schemes. Letting a property without the required licence risks prosecution, civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property, and rent repayment orders of up to 24 months — with letting agents jointly liable alongside landlords.
