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 second selective designation for Central Hove and Regency was due to start on 20 October 2026. The council has paused it while it reviews a legal challenge. Last checked: 26 October 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 is in the South East registration window for the PRS database, which opens on 15 March 2027: see how the South East registration window affects letting agents.
Brighton and Hove Property Licensing Schemes
To check whether a Brighton and Hove property already has a licence, search the council’s property licensing register. The council cannot release personal details, but it can say whether a licence has expired or a new application has been received.
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 covers 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. These are 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. That means 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.
Additional licensing: 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2029, borough-wide (all 23 wards).
Selective licensing: 2 September 2024 to 1 September 2029, covering Kemptown, Moulsecoomb & Bevendean, Queen’s Park and Whitehawk & Marina.
Selective licensing: a further designation for Central Hove and Regency was due on 20 October 2026 and is paused while the council reviews a legal challenge.
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 licence cost?
Licence fees: see Brighton and Hove Council’s property licensing fees page for current selective, additional and mandatory HMO fees.
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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, 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2029), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. A second selective designation for Central Hove and Regency, due on 20 October 2026, is paused while the council reviews a legal challenge. See the scheme details above.
Do all properties in Brighton and Hove need a licence?
Not every property in Brighton and Hove needs a licence. Selective licensing applies to privately rented homes in four wards, and HMOs fall under mandatory or additional licensing depending on size and occupancy.
What if my property doesn't have a licence?
Letting a Brighton and Hove property that needs a licence without one can bring a civil penalty of up to £40,000 or prosecution, as the council states. The landlord also risks a rent repayment order of up to 24 months’ rent. A letting agent who manages the property or collects the rent commits the offence too and can be fined separately.
Can letting agents apply on behalf of landlords?
Yes. Letting agents can apply for Brighton and Hove property licences on behalf of landlords, and many manage the full process.
How do I apply for a Brighton and Hove property licence?
Apply through Brighton and Hove Council’s website (licensing pages), or use a managed service such as Kamma.
Why did Brighton and Hove introduce selective licensing?
Brighton and Hove Council introduced selective licensing for Kemptown, Moulsecoomb and Bevendean, Queen’s Park, and Whitehawk and Marina. Its designation notice for the scheme running from 2 September 2024 to 1 September 2029 cites poor housing conditions and deprivation.
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?
Brighton and Hove Council’s HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management (licence conditions).
About Brighton and Hove
Brighton and Hove is a city and unitary authority on the Sussex coast. Its selective licensing scheme covers Kemptown, Moulsecoomb and Bevendean, Queen’s Park, and Whitehawk and Marina, and runs from 2 September 2024 to 1 September 2029. The council also licenses HMOs and publishes a register of licensed properties.
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 and civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property. The landlord can also face a rent repayment order of up to 24 months’ rent. Where a letting agent manages the property or collects the rent, the agent commits the offence too and can be fined in its own right.
