Coventry Property Licensing Schemes
Coventry currently operates additional licensing in 18 wards; mandatory HMO licensing applies everywhere. Last checked: 20 October 2026.
Coventry City Council requires a licence for every HMO with three or four occupiers from 4 May 2025 to 3 May 2030, and larger HMOs need one under the national mandatory scheme. To check whether an address is licensed, search the council’s public register or run it through Kamma’s free checker.
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.
Coventry is in the West Midlands registration window for the PRS database, which opens on 15 December 2026: see when landlords in the West Midlands have to register on the PRS database.
Not sure whether a Coventry property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker covers selective, additional and HMO schemes.
Check a Coventry property →What are the licensing requirements for Coventry?
Mandatory licensing is required in Coventry if your rented property is occupied by five or more people who form 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 Coventry?
Mandatory licensing in Coventry
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Coventry (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 Coventry?
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.
Coventry City Council operates additional HMO licensing across the whole city from 4 May 2025 to 3 May 2030. It covers HMOs with three or four occupiers, and larger HMOs fall under the national mandatory scheme.
Do I need a selective licence in Coventry?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Coventry does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme.
Do I need a selective licence in Coventry?
Selective licensing requires that all privately rented properties in a given area must obtain a licence, regardless of the number of occupants or households formed.
Coventry council does not currently operate any selective licensing schemes.
How do I apply for a licence?
Coventry Council has an online HMO licensing application process accessible here. Kamma also offers a licence application service for letting agents. Get in touch with us here to find out more.
How much does an HMO licence cost in Coventry?
Coventry City Council charges HMO licence fees in two stages. Stage 1 is £716, paid with the application. Stage 2 is due within 14 days of the council’s decision to issue, and is £228 for a five-year licence (£944 in total) where the applicant is eligible.
The council updated its HMO licence fees on 1 October 2025 and can change them again. Standard one-year applications and higher-rate applications cost more, so check the council’s fee table before you apply.
Get instant access to compliance reports across all properties
Kamma uses data-driven technology to help landlords and lettings agents deal with complex licensing compliance effortlessly. Find out how Kamma’s software can keep you compliant across your portfolio.
- Clear actionable advice for every property in your portfolio
- Instant notification of any licensing changes affecting one of your properties
- Access property licensing experts to manage the licensing application on your behalf
What happens if I don't get a licence in Coventry?
Ignoring the law could result in prosecution by Coventry Council, fines, court costs, and more. Ensure you comply with all regulations to avoid these risks. Fines for non-compliant agents can be up to £40,000 per non-compliant property, as well as rent repayment orders of up to 24 months.
If you’re concerned about unlicensed properties in your portfolio, book a free consultation today with one of our consultants to get a property licensing check here. By keeping your properties in line with your region’s licensing requirements, you can maintain peace of mind that you won’t get burnt by non-compliance.
Licensing enforcement efforts in Coventry
Coventry City Council takes action against unlicensed HMOs. In October 2022 it issued a £60,000 penalty to the landlord of an unlicensed HMO on Monks Road, and took over the property’s management under an interim management order. In November 2025 a landlord was fined £1,963 at magistrates’ court for operating unlicensed HMOs and breaching management regulations.
If you’re unsure as to the properties you manage may need a HMO licence in Coventry, feel free to use our Coventry property licence checker to receive a free licensing report.
Frequently asked questions:
When does Coventry's additional licensing scheme end?
Coventry City Council’s additional licensing scheme runs from 4 May 2025 to 3 May 2030 and covers every HMO in the city with three or four occupiers. The council consulted on it from 26 February to 17 May 2024 and made the designation on 7 October 2024. Coventry City Council has no selective licensing scheme.
Why has additional licensing in Coventry been introduced?
Coventry City Council ran a citywide additional licensing scheme from 4 May 2020 to 3 May 2025, then designated a second one from 4 May 2025 to 3 May 2030. The council’s August 2024 Cabinet report said the first scheme added around 11,598 licence conditions and about £1.6m of investment in HMO conditions. The same report said a significant number of HMOs remained unlicensed and that non-compliance and poor management continued. Full Council approved the second scheme on 3 September 2024, and the council made the designation on 7 October 2024.
What are the HMO standards to obtain a licence in Coventry?
In Coventry, the standards for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) are designed to ensure that properties are safe, well-maintained, and suitable for multiple tenants. These standards cover a range of aspects, including space requirements, personal washing facilities, kitchen amenities, heating, ventilation, and fire safety. For example, each bedroom must meet specific minimum size requirements depending on whether additional communal space is available. Kitchens must be adequately equipped with cooking facilities, sinks, and food storage for the number of occupants. Additionally, all HMOs must adhere to stringent fire safety measures, including the installation of fire doors, smoke alarms, and clear escape routes. These standards aim to provide a safe and comfortable living environment for tenants while ensuring that landlords meet their legal obligations
Do I need planning permission to operate a HMO in Coventry?
On 30th September 2023, Coventry City Council implemented an Article 4 direction across eleven wards (Cheylesmore, Earlsdon, Foleshill, Lower Stoke, Radford, St. Michael’s, Sherbourne, Wainbody, Whoberley, Westwood and Upper Stoke), which removed the permitted development rights for changing a property from a C3 “dwelling house” to a C4 “house in multiple occupation” (HMO). As a result, any conversion of a residential property into an HMO within these wards now requires a change of use planning application, even for HMOs with fewer than seven tenants. However, properties already lawfully used as HMOs before this date are exempt unless the use reverts back to a single household. For HMOs with seven or more occupants, planning permission has always been required under the Sui Generis classification, and this rule applies city-wide.
Kamma’s free property licence checker will also let you know if your property falls under an article 4 direction, as well as details on the licensing requirements needed.
About Coventry
Coventry, located in the West Midlands, England, is a historic city dating back to Saxon times. It became an important centre for the woollen textile industry in the 15th century and later evolved into a hub for bicycle, motorcycle, and automobile manufacturing. Heavily bombed during World War II, Coventry was rebuilt with a focus on modern urban design. Coventry is home to the University of Warwick and Coventry University. The city has 18 wards, and its additional licensing scheme covers all of them. Eleven wards are also under an Article 4 direction on conversions to HMOs.
