Unlicensed HMOs in Newport can lead to prosecution
Property Licensing Guide for Newport
Newport currently operates additional licensing in 21 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.
Newport Property Licensing Schemes
To check whether a Newport HMO is licensed, search the council’s public register of licensed HMOs. The council updates it weekly, and you can narrow results by ward, road name or address. Agents who let or manage a rented property in Wales also need a Rent Smart Wales licence.
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Not sure whether a Newport property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker covers selective, additional and HMO schemes.
Check a Newport property →What are the licensing requirements for Newport?
Mandatory licensing in Newport
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Newport (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 Newport?
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 two households.
Newport operates additional HMO licensing. The current designation is set out below.
Do I need a selective licence in Newport?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Newport does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme.
Additional licensing: 13 February 2025 to 12 February 2030, covering Allt-yr-yn, Alway, Beechwood, Bettws, Bishton and Langstone, Caerleon, Gaer, Graig, Llanwern, Lliswerry, Malpas, Pillgwenlly, Ringland, Rogerstone East, Rogerstone North, Rogerstone West, Shaftesbury, St Julians, Stow Hill, Tredegar Park and Marshfield and Victoria.
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 Newport Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.
How much does a licence cost?
Licence fees
| Licence | Fee |
|---|---|
| Additional HMO licence | £1,439.78 for 3 to 5 units or households; larger HMOs pay £78.70 extra per unit or household, up to £1,991.84 |
| Mandatory HMO licence | £1,439.78 for 3 to 5 units or households; larger HMOs pay £78.70 extra per unit or household, up to £1,991.84 |
Fees from the council’s application advice dated 1 April 2026, checked 20 October 2026; subject to change. Renewal before expiry is £1,073.87. Newport takes full payment within 14 days of invoice and does not accept instalments. See the council’s application advice for late renewal and variation fees.
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Newport Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does Newport operate?
Newport City Council operates additional HMO licensing in all wards of the city from 13 February 2025 to 12 February 2030, alongside mandatory HMO licensing. Newport has no selective licensing scheme.
Do all properties in Newport need a licence?
No. Newport has no selective licensing scheme, so a Newport City Council licence is needed only for an HMO. Mandatory licensing applies to an HMO of three or more storeys with five or more unrelated people. Additional licensing covers every other HMO with three or more people forming more than two households. Landlords must also register with Rent Smart Wales, and agents who let or manage need a Rent Smart Wales licence.
What if my property doesn't have a licence?
If a Newport HMO that needs a licence has none, the person managing or controlling it commits an offence under the Housing Act 2004 and can be prosecuted and fined with no upper limit. A tribunal can also order the landlord to repay up to 12 months of rent. A landlord who is not registered with Rent Smart Wales can receive a fixed penalty notice of £150 or £250 or be prosecuted, and cannot serve a valid possession notice unless the property is registered and the landlord is licensed or uses a licensed agent. A letting agent who manages the property can be prosecuted in its own right.
Can letting agents apply on behalf of landlords?
Yes, in some cases. Newport City Council says the licence holder should normally be the owner, with exceptions where there is a good reason. A letting agent that collects the rent on a Newport HMO counts as a person having control, and the application must name any managing agent.
How do I apply for a Newport property licence?
You can apply for a Newport HMO licence online through Newport City Council’s licensing pages. The council asks for floor plans, gas safety, fire detection, emergency lighting and EPC certificates, and DBS certificates. It issues a draft licence first and invoices the fee, payable within 14 days. You can also use a managed service such as Kamma.
Does Newport have selective licensing?
No. Newport City Council does not operate selective licensing. It licenses HMOs under mandatory licensing and an additional licensing scheme that covers all wards of the city.
Why did Newport introduce additional licensing?
Newport City Council says its additional licensing scheme helps tackle waste, anti-social behaviour, energy efficiency and property security, and helps it find and target high risk HMOs. The scheme made on 12 November 2024 replaced the 2019 scheme and runs from 13 February 2025 to 12 February 2030.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in Newport?
Newport’s HMO licence conditions cover maximum occupancy, the council’s space standard, gas and electrical safety, fire precautions, waste and refuse, occupation contract information and Rent Smart Wales registration (licence conditions).
About Newport
Newport City Council licenses HMOs under the Housing Act 2004. It made its additional licensing scheme on 12 November 2024, and the scheme applies to all wards of the city from 13 February 2025 to 12 February 2030. It replaced the 2019 scheme, which expired on 30 June 2024. The council says additional licensing helps tackle waste, anti-social behaviour, energy efficiency and property security. A Newport HMO licence lasts up to 5 years.
Licensing Enforcement in Newport
Newport City Council enforces HMO licensing. Managing or controlling an HMO that needs a licence without one is an offence under section 72 of the Housing Act 2004, and the penalty on conviction is a fine with no upper limit. The council may also take over management of the property through an interim management order lasting up to 12 months. A tribunal can order the landlord to repay up to 12 months of rent. The council reports landlords and agents it finds unlicensed to Rent Smart Wales, and a landlord who lets without Rent Smart Wales registration can receive a fixed penalty notice of £150 or £250 or be prosecuted. Where a letting agent manages the property, the agent can be prosecuted in its own right. The council runs an anonymous 24-hour hotline, 01633 832 805, for reports of unlicensed HMOs.
