Unlicensed HMOs in Flintshire can lead to prosecution
Property Licensing Guide for Flintshire
Flintshire currently operates additional licensing in 45 wards; mandatory HMO licensing and Rent Smart Wales registration apply everywhere. Last checked: 20 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.
Flintshire Property Licensing Schemes
An HMO in Flintshire needs a Flintshire Council licence if it falls under the mandatory or additional scheme, and agents who manage it must also hold a Rent Smart Wales licence. The council keeps a public register of licensed HMOs, which shows whether a property is licensed.
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Check a Flintshire property →What are the licensing requirements for Flintshire?
Mandatory licensing in Flintshire
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Flintshire (and all of Wales) to larger HMOs. These are properties of three or more storeys 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 Flintshire?
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.
Flintshire operates additional HMO licensing. The current designation is set out below.
Do I need a selective licence in Flintshire?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Flintshire does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme.
Additional licensing: 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031, covering Argoed and New Brighton, Bagillt, Broughton North East, Broughton South, Brynford and Halkyn, Buckley: Bistre East, Buckley: Bistre West, Buckley: Mountain, Buckley: Pentrobin, Caergwrle, Caerwys, Cilcain, Connah’s Quay Central, Connah’s Quay South, Connah’s Quay: Golftyn, Connah’s Quay: Wepre, Flint: Castle, Flint: Coleshill and Trelawny, Flint: Oakenholt, Greenfield, Gwernaffield and Gwernymynydd, Hawarden: Aston, Hawarden: Ewloe, Hawarden: Mancot, Higher Kinnerton, Holywell Central, Holywell East, Holywell West, Hope, Leeswood, Llanasa and Trelawnyd, Llanfynydd, Mold East, Mold South, Mold West, Mold: Broncoed, Mostyn, Northop, Pen-y-ffordd, Queensferry and Sealand, Saltney Ferry, Shotton East and Shotton Higher, Shotton West, Treuddyn and Whitford.
Mandatory HMO licensing: in force since 2006 for HMOs of three or more storeys with five or more people forming more than one household.
How do I apply for a licence?
You can apply for a licence via Flintshire Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.
How much does a licence cost?
Licence fees: Flintshire Council’s fees and charges page lists the HMO licence application fee at £849.40 for the first five units and £38.79 for each additional unit. Licences last up to five years.
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Flintshire Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does Flintshire operate?
Flintshire operates additional licensing (1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031), alongside the mandatory HMO scheme. Landlords and agents in Flintshire must also register or hold a licence with Rent Smart Wales. See the scheme details above.
Do all properties in Flintshire need a licence?
No. Flintshire County Council has no selective licensing scheme, so a licence is needed only for an HMO. An HMO of three or more storeys with five or more occupiers in two or more households needs a mandatory licence. Since 1 April 2026 the additional scheme also covers smaller HMOs with three or more occupiers in two or more households anywhere in Flintshire.
What if my property doesn't have a licence?
If a Flintshire HMO that needs a licence has none, the person managing or controlling it commits an offence under the Housing Act 2004. Flintshire County Council says the penalty on summary conviction is an unlimited fine. The landlord can also be ordered to repay up to 12 months of rent collected while the property was unlicensed. A letting agent who manages the property can be prosecuted separately. In Wales a landlord also cannot serve a valid possession notice unless the property is registered with Rent Smart Wales and the landlord is licensed or uses a licensed agent.
Can letting agents apply on behalf of landlords?
Yes. Letting agents can apply for HMO licences on behalf of landlords in Flintshire, and many manage the full process. The council’s application asks for fit and proper person declarations.
How do I apply for a Flintshire property licence?
You can apply through Flintshire Council’s HMO licensing page (licensing pages), which lists the documents needed. You can also use a managed service such as Kamma.
Does Flintshire have selective licensing?
No. Flintshire County Council does not operate selective licensing. It licenses HMOs under the mandatory scheme and the additional scheme, which covers the whole county from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031.
Why did Flintshire introduce additional licensing?
Flintshire Council’s Chief Officer for Planning, Environment and Economy said the aim is to improve living conditions across HMOs, as the Housing Act 2004 allows. The scheme covers smaller HMOs that fall below the Welsh mandatory test of three storeys and five occupiers.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in Flintshire?
Flintshire’s additional licensing scheme comes with licence conditions, and applications need fire safety, electrical safety and gas safety evidence (licence conditions).
About Flintshire
Flintshire County Council designated its additional licensing scheme on 14 October 2025. It has applied across the whole county since 1 April 2026 and runs to 31 March 2031. It covers HMOs of three or more people in two or more households that fall outside mandatory licensing, and flats in converted buildings that do not meet the 1991 Building Regulations standard. The council’s Housing Standards team in Ewloe handles applications.
Licensing Enforcement in Flintshire
Flintshire County Council is the licensing authority for HMOs in the county. Managing or controlling an HMO that needs a licence without one is an offence under the Housing Act 2004, and the penalty on summary conviction is an unlimited fine. The landlord can also be ordered to repay up to 12 months of rent collected while the property was unlicensed. A landlord who lets without Rent Smart Wales registration can receive a fixed penalty notice of £150 or £250, or be prosecuted. In July 2026 a local councillor reported many HMOs in Sandycroft and Pentre that may not be compliant, and the council’s Housing Enforcement team was inspecting and investigating properties there. Where a letting agent manages the property, the agent can be prosecuted in its own right, and agents in Wales must also hold a Rent Smart Wales licence.
